Evolving Concepts of Patient-Centered Care and the Assessment of Patient Care Experiences: Optimism and Opposition

This article summarise, a personal view of the author (Paul D. Cleary dean of the Yale School of Public Health), on the available research, concerning measurement of “patient satisfaction” and “patient care experience”. Author argues that patient experiences measurement efforts are being devoted to providing high-quality patient-centered care. Some indicators and surveys are discussed in terms of their reliability, validity and correlation across individuals and settings with other quality indicators.

Special attention is paid to the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), launched in 1995 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The CAHPS surveys are nowadays tailored to different care settings, so that results can be used to help identify aspects of care that can be targeted to improve patient experiences.

Some contrasting arguments are also discussed on the ability of patients to evaluate the quality of their care. Author proposes a review of currently ...

Urban-rural difference in satisfaction with primary healthcare services in Ghana

Understanding regional variation in patient satisfaction about healthcare systems (PHCs) on the quality of services provided is instrumental to improving quality and developing a patient-centered healthcare system by making it  more responsive especially to the cultural aspects of health demands of a population. Reaching to the innovative National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana, surpassing several reforms in healthcare financing has been a milestone. However little research has been conducted concerning patient satisfaction in resource-poor settings like in Ghana. This study was therefore dedicated to examining the variation in satisfaction across rural and urban women in Ghana. 

An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower- middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services across the spectrum of care. 

Communication Heal? Examining the Role of Patient Satisfaction and Communication Experience in China

China is facing the problem of having health care that is difficult to access. Online patient–provider communication (OPPC) may bring a new option to deliver health services. However, online communication with doctors is still novel to many people in China. Little research has been conducted to examine how OPPC could improve health outcomes. With an integrated model that incorporates social cognitive theory into the three-stage model of health promotion using interactive media, this study tested the social mechanism underlying the impact of OPPC

Understanding the determinants of public trust in the health care system in China: an analysis of a cross-sectional survey

Despite increasing research attention on public trust in health care systems, empirical evidence on this topic in the developing world is limited and inconclusive. This paper examines the level and determinants of public trust in the health care system in China where the findings suggest that low public trust in China’s health care system is a potential problem. Improving health care experiences may be the most practical and effective way of improving trust in the health care system in China.

Main factors affecting perceived quality in healthcare: a patient perspective approach

Delivering patient-centered healthcare is now seen as one of the basic requirements of good quality care. In this research, the impact of the perceived quality of three experiential dimensions (Physical Environment, Empowerment and Dignity and Patient–Doctor Relationship) on patient´s Experiential Satisfaction is assessed.

What matters most in acute care: an interview study with older people living with frailty

Healthcare outcome goals are central to person-centred acute care, however evidence among older people is scarce. Older people who are living with frailty have distinct requirements for healthcare delivery and have distinct risk for adverse outcomes from healthcare. There is insufficient evidence for whether those living with frailty also have distinct healthcare outcome goals. This study explored the nature of acute care outcome goals in people living with frailty.

In safe hands: a qualitative study on older adults’ experiences of a tailored primary health care unit

Today’s health care system faces challenges in meeting the needs of older people with multimorbidity. To better cope with these needs, tailored primary health care with geriatric competence and person-centred care has been suggested. The aim of this study was to explore older patients’ experiences of a tailored primary health care unit.

Asynchronous Remote Communication as a Tool for Care Management in Primary Care: A Rapid Review of the Literature

To review the available evidence on asynchronous communication models between primary care professionals and patients in different countries around the world in order to analyse the added value that this model brings to patients and professionals.