Health care use and patients' perceptions on quality of care in systemic sclerosis

CER6415
2013 Vol.31, N°2 ,Suppl.76
PI 0064, PF 0070
Clinical aspects

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PMID: 23910612 [PubMed]

Received: 05/03/2013
Accepted : 31/05/2013
In Press: 22/07/2013
Published: 22/07/2013

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To assess health care utilisation in Dutch patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its associated factors. To evaluate patients` perspectives on quality of care and its association with health care use.
METHODS:
In a cross-sectional design, 198 Dutch patients with SSc completed an anonymous survey concerning health care utilisation, quality of care (CQ Index), and quality of life (SF-36).
RESULTS:
In the last 12 months, 95% of the patients had contact with at least one medical specialist and two-thirds contacted at least one health professional (HP). The median numbers of visits to medical specialists and HPs were 7 and 7.5, respectively. Having a partner and reduced physical health status (SF-36 role-physical) were significantly associated with more visits to medical specialists and HPs. The median numbers of disciplines contacted since the onset of SSc and in the last 12 months were 8 and 4, respectively. Patients with less fatigue (SF-36 vitality) and more pain (SF-36 bodily pain) contacted more disciplines. A higher number of disciplines involved in the care was significantly associated with less satisfaction with the coordination of care (r=-0.14, p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS:
Health care utilisation in Dutch patients with SSc is substantial, as is reflected in the high number of visits and the number of disciplines. Patients` rating of care coordination was lower if more disciplines were involved in their care.