[Perception of health care quality by patients with chronic conditions]

Patient opinion is becoming ever more important when considering healthcare quality and the reforms required to improve healthcare quality. The main aim of this study was to explore factors determining perceived healthcare quality among patients with chronic diseases.

Data are drawn from the survey carried out in 2008 by the Commonwealth Fund, in partnership with the French Superior Health Authority (Haute Autorité de santé). The prospective telephone survey targeted adults in eight countries who had serious health problems (chronic or severe disease, declared poor state of health, hospital admission or major surgery). Of the 1202 French respondents, 851 had at least one diagnosed chronic disease. A multinomial logistic model was used to identify the relationship between perceived healthcare quality and patients' recent experience with the healthcare system.

People with chronic disease in general perceived that healthcare quality was excellent (45%) or good (44%). Only 11% of respondents judged it to be average or poor. There was a hint of "could do better", for example when considering podology and ophthalmology follow-up in diabetes or the management of multiple medications. The explanatory model revealed a positive correlation between excellent perceived healthcare quality and a strong doctor-patient relationship, taking into account both the length of this relationship and the ability of the doctor to involve the patient at all stages of decision-making concerning therapeutic management. There was no major link between the perceived quality of care and objective care quality, the quality of procedures, the cost of care to the patient or how frequently patients access the healthcare system.

The quality of the relationship between the patient and his/her doctor is a determining factor in the patient's judgement of the quality of healthcare he/she receives.