title: The effect of patient origin and relevance of contact on patient and caregiver satisfaction in the emergency room.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined (1) whether patient and caregiver satisfaction in the emergency room (ER) varies according to patient origin, and (2) whether relevance of visit can explain any variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey of walk-in patients and their caregivers at four ERs in Copenhagen. The patient questionnaire was available in nine languages, and addressed patient satisfaction. The caregiver questionnaire addressed caregiver satisfaction and relevance of the patient contact in the ER. A total of 3,809 patients and 3,905 caregivers responded. The response rate among patients was 54%. Only data with both patient and caregiver responses and with patient country of birth were included in the analyses (n=3,426). The effect of patient origin was examined using bivariate, stratified analyses and tested for independence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients and caregivers had lower satisfaction rates when patients were of Middle Eastern compared with Danish origin. Satisfaction of both groups was associated with the relevance of the visit as assessed by the caregiver. Visits by patients of Middle Eastern origin were less often assessed as being relevant, but caregivers were less satisfied with visits by these patients even after controlling for relevance. Differences in patient satisfaction by patient origin were no longer significant when stratifying by relevance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient and caregiver satisfaction among patients of foreign origin can be improved by lowering the number of irrelevant visits among patients of foreign origin, e.g. by improving access to general practitioners. Training of caregivers in dealing with patients of different origins might reduce differences in caregiver satisfaction according to patient origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mygind
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norredam
authors.forename: Anette S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bagger
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krasnik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark / Q000208:ethnology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires