The relationship of age and satisfaction with physician–patient communication from the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between age and satisfaction with patient–physician communication. Data were obtained from the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Guided by the Communication Predicament Model, chi square analyses were run to examine the relationship of age and satisfaction with physician–patient communication for persons in general and those in fair to poor health. Regression analyses were run to determine whether older age (65+) increases the likelihood of experiencing communication issues of the physician listening to the older adult's medical concerns, explaining treatment so that the patient understood, treating the patient with respect and spending enough time with the patient. A significant relationship was found between age and dissatisfaction with physician communication. Persons who are 65 and older are 1.35–1.71 times as likely to perceive problems with physician communication. Other factors that increased the likelihood of perceived communication problems were fair to poor physical or mental health, lower educational status, not having a usual provider, being uninsured, and receiving health care in a hospital or hospital emergency room. Suggested interventions included the use of Selective Assertiveness and training for patients and physicians on more effective communication techniques.