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Original Article
Rheumatology care: Involvement in medical decisions, received information, satisfaction with care, and unmet health care needs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Article first published online: 31 MAY 2006
DOI: 10.1002/art.21985
Copyright © 2006 by the American College of Rheumatology
1529-0131a/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=4b71f39689e424fbb0e6725b1c033cc646a4272b "Arthritis Care & Research")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Kjeken, I., Dagfinrud, H., Mowinckel, P., Uhlig, T., Kvien, T. K. and Finset, A. (2006), Rheumatology care: Involvement in medical decisions, received information, satisfaction with care, and unmet health care needs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Arthritis Care & Research, 55: 394–401. doi: 10.1002/art.21985
Publication History
- Issue published online: 31 MAY 2006
- Article first published online: 31 MAY 2006
- Manuscript Accepted: 15 SEP 2005
- Manuscript Received: 29 JUL 2005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Arthritis;
- Patient participation;
- Patient satisfaction;
- Health services research
Abstract
Objective
To examine levels of received information, involvement in medical decisions, and satisfaction with care, to explore factors related to current involvement in medical decisions, and to assess patients' unmet health care needs related to their disease.
Methods
A total of 1,193 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis completed self-reported health status questionnaires, including registration of sociodemographic data and questions about rheumatology care. Separate questions addressed information received, involvement in decisions, and satisfaction with care. Aspects of unmet health were assessed by an open-ended question.
Results
The majority of patients reported medium to high levels of received information, involvement in medical decisions, and satisfaction with care. High involvement in medical decisions was univariately associated with high levels of perceived information and satisfaction, as well as with lower age and a good health status. In the multivariate analyses, patient satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] 4.21) and a high level of received information (OR 7.85), age (OR 0.99), and >12 years of formal education (OR 1.46) remained as significant predictors to current involvement. Nearly one-third reported a variety of unmet health care needs, and this report was associated with poor health.
Conclusion
The results indicate a need for a more flexible and patient centered care model, in which patients to a larger degree can decide which services they need and how these services should be delivered.