Affect, attribution, and disconfirmation: their impact on health care services evaluation

Health Mark Q. 1998;15(4):55-74. doi: 10.1300/J026v15n04_04.

Abstract

The paper simultaneously assesses the influence of affect toward the health care provider, attributions of the health care provider, and disconfirmation on patient satisfaction with the health care provider and their intention to return to the health care provider in the future. The findings indicate affect and disconfirmation play a role in patients' judgements, but attribution does not. Also, patients appear to have a zone of tolerance as to the events that constitute the health care service delivery. This suggests that health care providers may have a zone of variation in the action they take and still maintain a satisfied patient.

MeSH terms

  • Affect*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Dental Health Services / standards
  • Dental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Dentist-Patient Relations*
  • Health Services Research / methods
  • Humans
  • Marketing of Health Services
  • Motivation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data*
  • Research Design
  • Students
  • United States
  • Universities
  • Videotape Recording