Associations between knowledge of health issues and health care satisfaction and propensity to complain: a cross-sectional survey of adult men in Denmark

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate associations between knowledge of health issues and healthcare satisfaction and propensity to complain including the association between knowledge and greater patient involvement.

Design: The present study is a secondary analysis of a larger cross-sectional case vignette survey.

Setting: Survey conducted in adult Danish men.

Participants: Participants included 6755 men aged 45-70 years.

Interventions: Participants responded to a survey with scenarios illustrating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and different information provision.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Using Likert scales (scored 1-5), participants rated their satisfaction with the care described and their inclination to complain and responded to a short quiz (scored 0-3) assessing their knowledge about the PSA test.

Results: Satisfaction with healthcare increased with better quiz performance (Likert difference 0.13 (95% CI .07 to 0.20), p <0.001, totally correct vs totally incorrect responders) and correspondingly, the desire to complain significantly decreased (Likert difference -0.34 (95% CI 0.40 to -0.27), p <0.001). Respondents with higher education performed better (mean quiz score difference 0.59 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.67), p <0.001, most educated vs least educated). Responders who received information about the PSA test generally performed better (quiz score difference 0.41 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.47), p<0.001, neutral vs no information). Overestimation of PSA merits was more common than underestimation (7.9% vs 3.8%).

Conclusions: Mens' knowledge of the benefits of screening varies with education, predicts satisfaction with care and the desire to complain, and may be improved through greater involvement in decision-making.

Keywords: Decision Making; ETHICS (see Medical Ethics); GENERAL MEDICINE (see Internal Medicine); Health Education; MEDICAL LAW; Quality in health care.