title: Factors associated with perceived patient-provider communication quality among Puerto Ricans.
abstract: Patient-provider communication is an important factor influencing patients' health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between patient-provider communication quality and sociodemographic, health care access, trusted information sources, and health status variables. Data were from a representative sample of 450 Puerto Rican adults who participated in the Health Information National Trends Survey. A composite score rating perceived patient-provider communication quality was created from five items (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87). A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. Patient-provider communication ratings were lower among the unemployed (p = 0.049), those who do not trust a lot in the information provided by their providers (p = 0.003), and respondents with higher depressive symptoms scores (p = 0.036). Perceived patient-provider communication quality, however, was higher among respondents who visited their providers five or more times in the last year (p = 0.023). Understanding patient perceptions of provider communication may serve to develop system-level interventions aimed at eliminating communication disparities and improving patients' health outcomes.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Calo
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colon-Lopez
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krasny
authors.forename: Guillemo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tortolero-Luna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult