Browsing by keyword "*Patients"
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Characteristics of patients at three free clinicsThis study examined factors associated with the use of three free clinics located in Central Massachusetts. A total of 248 patients completed a questionnaire during the 2-month study period. Descriptive results showed a majority of free clinic patients are low-income, uninsured, and female. Many patients (62%) do not have a usual source of care, nor do they know where to go if the clinic is not open (61%). Most (82%) report using free clinics because they lack insurance. Patients who had been using the free clinics longer than 1 year are more likely to use the clinic because of inadequate insurance (p = 0.002) and as a way to obtain prescription drugs (p < 0.001). Although they serve an important need, free clinics cannot provide comprehensive, continuous care. Efforts to provide health care to the medically underserved must take these findings into consideration if they are to be successful.
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Dimensions of patient attitudes regarding doctors and medical care servicesThe factor analytic development and validation of numerous index scores to measure patient attitudes regarding characteristics of doctors and medical care services is described. Index scores meeting factor analytic criteria and found to be reliable were used to study the nature and number of attitudinal dimensions underlying patient satisfaction. The use of index scores which have met logical and empirical criteria is in contrast to the common practice of using individual questionnaire items as the unit of analysis. Four major dimensions of patient attitudes were identified and described, including attitudes toward doctor conduct (humanness and quality) and such enabling components as availability of services, continuity/convenience of care and access mechanisms (cost, payment mechanisms, and ease of emergency care). Measures of attitudes toward caring (humanness) and curing (quality/competence) aspects of doctor conduct appear to reflect the same underlying attitudinal dimension. Findings are discussed in relation to concepts and measures mentioned in the published literature and suggestions are offered for future research.
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Results of a survey on the use of standardized patients to teach and evaluate clinical skillsIn 1989, a survey was sent to each U.S. and Canadian medical school requesting information about how standardized patients are used for teaching and evaluating clinical skills, and 95% of the schools responded. Although there was widespread use of standardized patients throughout the curricula, the role and training of these patients varied markedly within a given school as well as across schools. One outcome of this survey is the development of a network to share resources, protocols, and training material to enhance the development of this educational strategy.