Evidence of a non-linear influence of patient age on satisfaction with hospital care

摘要

Patient age is the main socio-demographic factor influencing patient satisfaction with care but the nature of the relationship between age and patient satisfaction is controversial. This study aims to clarify whether the association of age with satisfaction is linear or shows some other configuration. Data were obtained from two different satisfaction studies conducted in 27 short-stay teaching hospitals. Study 1 included 1547 inpatients, who completed the EQS-H questionnaire at the time of discharge. Study 2 included 7624 inpatients interviewed by phone at home after discharge, who answered the SAPHORA questionnaire. On the basis of the results of the exploratory analysis, three models for adjustment of age on satisfaction were compared: a simple linear model, a five-group step function and a linear model with a change in slope.