Factors associated with healthcare-related frustrations among adults with chronic conditions. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: Healthcare-related frustrations (HRFs) are common occurrences in patient-provider interactions. Little is known about HRFs experienced by individuals with chronic conditions. The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify the frequency of six HRFs among adults with chronic conditions; 2) assess factors associated with these HRFs; and 3) examine factors associated with multiple HRFs. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 589 middle-aged and older adults with 1+ chronic conditions. A series of logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with each frustration, and an ordinal regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with increasing frustrations. RESULTS: Participants reported at least two of the six HRFs. The most commonly reported HRFs included feeling tired of describing the same condition (46%) and wishing their doctor had more time to speak with them during visits (44%). Having functional limitations (Beta=0.58, P=0.004), reporting more self-care barriers (Beta=0.41, P<0.001), visiting a physician more frequently (P<0.05), and having less support (Beta=-0.64, P=0.013) were associated with increasing HRFs. CONCLUSION: Reducing HRFs may improve patient-provider interactions, chronic disease management, and patients' overall quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Care coordination, communication and cultural competency training, and a review of materials may help address these frustrations.

published proceedings

  • Patient Educ Couns

altmetric score

  • 23.25

author list (cited authors)

  • Smith, M. L., Bergeron, C. D., Adler, C. H., Patel, A., Ahn, S., Towne, S. D., Bien, M., & Ory, M. G.

citation count

  • 23

complete list of authors

  • Smith, Matthew Lee||Bergeron, Caroline D||Adler, Colin H||Patel, Aakash||Ahn, SangNam||Towne, Samuel D||Bien, Michael||Ory, Marcia G

publication date

  • June 2017