Decision-making preference and opportunity in VA ambulatory care patients: association with patient satisfaction

Res Nurs Health. 1999 Feb;22(1):39-48. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1098-240x(199902)22:1<39::aid-nur5>3.0.co;2-j.

Abstract

Using data from the Veterans Health Study, associations were examined for decision-making preference, decision-making opportunity, and satisfaction with medical care among a sample of 266 men who use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ambulatory health care services. Results indicated that veterans with a high preference for involvement in decision-making and low provider-offered decision-making opportunities had significantly lower satisfaction with medical care compared to veterans with either low preference for decision-making involvement with high or low opportunity, or those with a high decision-making preference and high decision-making opportunity. The findings suggest that health care providers may increase patient satisfaction with medical care by providing opportunities for decision-making to patients who prefer involvement in their health care decision-making. Provider strategies for increasing patient decision-making involvement are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ambulatory Care / psychology*
  • Boston
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatients / psychology*
  • Patient Participation*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans / psychology*