Predictors of patient satisfaction and health care costs for patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Patient satisfaction may be defined as the extent to which a patient believes that his or her health care needs are met and whether their preferences are considered. Early research focused on sociodemographic variables as correlates of patient satisfaction, and recently psychosocial variables have received attention. The present study was an examination of members of a health maintenance organization who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It was hypothesized that demographic, health and psychosocial variables would predict patient satisfaction, and in turn that patient satisfaction would predict health care costs. Multiple regression analyses indicated that greater satisfaction with social support and higher scores on agreeableness were associated with greater patient satisfaction, although only 13% of the variance in patient satisfaction was explained. Future studies of patient satisfaction should examine physicians' attitudes and behaviors along with those of patients.

Factors facilitating patient satisfaction among women with medically unexplained long-term fatigue: A relational perspective

“…The statistically significant association between patient's experiences and agreeing in the doctor's beliefs about the cause of their illness is supported by previous research indicating that congruence in doctor-patient beliefs (including experiences of partnership and shared decision-making) are important in facilitating patient satisfaction (Budych et al, 2012;Serber et al, 2003;Street Jr et al, 2005;Ommen et al, 2011;Krupat et al, 2001). This does 15 not mean that diverging views necessarily leads to dis-satisfied patients, but that diverging views represent a challenge to the medical encounter.…”

“…Patient satisfaction, understood as "an individual's cognitive evaluation of, and emotional reaction to, his or her health-care experience" (Shirley & Sanders, 2013: 1), measures the extent to which patients perceive their needs to be met (Serber et al, 2003). Such experiences have been widely studied in Western societies during the last decades, but we still lack knowledge about the interplay of underlying mechanisms that foster patient satisfaction in various clinical settings.…”

Evaluation of Cancer Patient Education and Services

“…The resource also helped the patient improve communication with his or her doctor and they were empowered to take a more active role in the management of their illness. Serber, Cronan, and Walen [12] and Baile and Aaron [13] concur that patient satisfaction is determined by a relationship between patients and health care provider. As stated by Glimelius, Birgegard, Hoffman, and Kvale [14], information and communication improvements in a comprehensive care program for patients and their families translate into lower psychosocial problems.…”

Communication preferences in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: descriptive results and patient characteristics as predictors

“…The provider could adapt his or her communication behavior to the needs of FMS patients better by possessing a deeper understanding of their communication preferences. If the health care provider can fulfill the patient’s expectations and respect his or her preferences, this may affect patient satisfaction positively 18. To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined the communication preferences of patients with FMS in detail so far.…”