Satisfaction with Health Care Providers among Elderly Population with Lower Self-Rated Health Status

Objectives: This study is to assess socio-demographic characteristics as predictors of elderly people's satisfaction with their health care providers, focusing on people with lower perceived health status and functional limitations.

Method: We used cross-sectional data obtained from the nationally representative 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. The target population was the U.S. elderly adults (>= 65 years of age) who reported to have a usual source of care provider. The health status was estimated using the respondents' perceived health status and self-rated functional limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). As outcome variables, we examined the responses of 4 items regarding the person's satisfaction with the health care provider. Socio-demographic variables included age group (65 – 74, 75 – 85), gender, race, ethnicity, income, education, insurance, marital status, and spouse. Bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether health status and socio-demographic characteristics influenced the outcome variables.

Results: Respondents with lower health status were less positive in judging outcome measures and the patterns of positive judgments of the outcome measures were inconsistent by health status. Significant differences were also found in socio-demographic factors influencing the level of satisfaction across the outcome measures.

Conclusions: The study findings revealed that elderly people's satisfaction with health care providers was significantly influenced by health status and socio-demographic characteristics. A better understanding of these characteristics may provide insights into directions for improving quality of care and shaping health policies to meet their needs and expectations.