[Satisfaction with primary medical care: population determinants]

To study the level of satisfaction with the family physician in the general population, and to evaluate the influence of characteristics of the individual and the available health care services.

Cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of 1,505 beneficiaries of the Social Security, older than one year, from the city of Matar¿o (Barcelona). A questionnaire, administered by home interview, examined the socio-demographic situation, health status, health care organizations and services used and the preferences and knowledge in relation to them. Satisfaction was measured on the scale of Hulka BS et al. developed at Andalusian primary care centres.

Satisfaction with the family physician had, on a scale from 0 to 100, a mean score of 61.3 (standard deviation, 13.5) points. The main determinant of satisfaction was the model of primary care, users of non-reformed centres being less satisfied. It was followed by better knowledge of ambulatory services, age and better attitudes towards primary care, which were positively related to satisfaction. Indicators of health care accessibility and continuity, as well as the number of medical visits fulfilled, the subject's main activity and their level of health were also independent determinants of satisfaction. The explained satisfaction's variation was 38.98%.

Satisfaction with family physician is a complex and multifactorial behaviour which is under constant change due to the interrelation of the individual with his social and health care environment.