Do Polish primary care physicians meet the expectations of their patients? An analysis of Polish QUALICOPC data.
Adult
Continuity of Patient Care
/ standards
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Services Accessibility
/ standards
Humans
Male
Needs Assessment
Patient Outcome Assessment
Patient Participation
/ psychology
Patient Preference
/ statistics & numerical data
Physician-Patient Relations
Physicians, Primary Care
/ ethics
Poland
Primary Health Care
/ standards
Quality of Health Care
/ organization & administration
Social Skills
Health services research
Patient satisfaction
Primary care, general practice
Quality of care
Journal
BMC family practice
ISSN: 1471-2296
Titre abrégé: BMC Fam Pract
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100967792
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 06 2020
23 06 2020
Historique:
received:
16
07
2019
accepted:
15
06
2020
entrez:
25
6
2020
pubmed:
25
6
2020
medline:
10
7
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Meeting the expectations of patients is one of the most crucial criteria when assessing the quality of a healthcare system. This study aimed to compare the expectations and experiences of patients of primary care in Poland and to identify key patient characteristics affecting these outlooks. The study was performed within the framework of the international Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. In Poland, a nationally representative sample of 2218 patients were recruited to take part in the study. As a study tool, we used data from two of four QUALICOPC questionnaires: "Patient Experience" and "Patient Values". Patients' expectations were fulfilled in all study areas: accessibility, continuity, quality of care, and equity. We observed that the highest-met expectations indexes were in the area of quality of care, while the lowest, but still with a positive value, were in the area of accessibility. Patient-doctor communication was the aspect most valued by study participants. Elements of the patient's own level of engagement during the consultation were ranked as less essential. Comparing patient experiences to their values allows us to identify areas for improvement that are prioritized by patients. Accessibility is recognized as the most important area by Polish patients, simultaneously showing the highest level of patient-perceived improvement potential. Interpersonal care is another domain, in which the needs of patients are satisfied but are also relatively high. Strong clinician-patient relationships seem to be a priority in patients' expectations. The continuous efforts in interpersonal communication skills training for primary care physicians should be upgraded.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Meeting the expectations of patients is one of the most crucial criteria when assessing the quality of a healthcare system. This study aimed to compare the expectations and experiences of patients of primary care in Poland and to identify key patient characteristics affecting these outlooks.
METHODS
The study was performed within the framework of the international Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. In Poland, a nationally representative sample of 2218 patients were recruited to take part in the study. As a study tool, we used data from two of four QUALICOPC questionnaires: "Patient Experience" and "Patient Values".
RESULTS
Patients' expectations were fulfilled in all study areas: accessibility, continuity, quality of care, and equity. We observed that the highest-met expectations indexes were in the area of quality of care, while the lowest, but still with a positive value, were in the area of accessibility. Patient-doctor communication was the aspect most valued by study participants. Elements of the patient's own level of engagement during the consultation were ranked as less essential.
CONCLUSIONS
Comparing patient experiences to their values allows us to identify areas for improvement that are prioritized by patients. Accessibility is recognized as the most important area by Polish patients, simultaneously showing the highest level of patient-perceived improvement potential. Interpersonal care is another domain, in which the needs of patients are satisfied but are also relatively high. Strong clinician-patient relationships seem to be a priority in patients' expectations. The continuous efforts in interpersonal communication skills training for primary care physicians should be upgraded.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32576153
doi: 10.1186/s12875-020-01190-1
pii: 10.1186/s12875-020-01190-1
pmc: PMC7313208
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
118Subventions
Organisme : European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)
ID : grant agreement 242141
Pays : International
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