Shared decision-making and satisfaction with care: a population-based study in patients with acne with skin of colour in the USA

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 Aug 25;48(9):1032-1035. doi: 10.1093/ced/llad151.

Abstract

Little is known about differences in shared decision-making and patient satisfaction with acne care among different ethnicities and races. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine differences between patients with acne who are White and those with skin of colour (SOC), i.e. (i) engagement in shared decision-making, and (ii) patient satisfaction with care, using the 2009-2017 and 2019 Medical Panel Expenditure Survey. Patients with acne with SOC were nearly two times more likely to engage in high shared decision-making compared with White patients [adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.51, P < 0.001]. Patients with SOC with acne reported lower satisfaction with care compared with White patients (β = -0.38, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.06, P = 0.02). Patients with SOC who had acne reported higher levels of shared decision-making than White patients. However, compared with the White patients, patients with SOC report lower satisfaction with their care. There may be other factors contributing to lower satisfaction with care in patients with SOC who have acne.

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris* / therapy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Skin Pigmentation
  • United States