1
Patient-centered care factors and access to care
2
In recent years, the United States has experienced historically low uninsured rates under
the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Despite this progress, a persistent challenge lingers: ensuring
equal access to quality healthcare. A recent study delves into this issue, examining the interplay
between health insurance, patient-centered care, and various barriers to access. This discussion
explores the key findings, shedding light on the intricate factors influencing healthcare access
and potential avenues for improvement.
The study's central theme revolves around the idea that mere possession of health
insurance does not guarantee equitable access to necessary healthcare. The ACA's achievements
notwithstanding, disparities persist, prompting a closer examination of the role played by patientcentered care quality in shaping individuals' perceived access to and utilization of healthcare
services.
Patient-centered care quality emerges as a critical determinant, with factors such as
perceived interaction quality with healthcare providers and shared decision-making significantly
associated with higher perceived access to care and reduced unmet needs for healthcare. This
underscores the importance of fostering positive patient-provider relationships characterized by
active communication and shared decision-making to improve perceptions of healthcare access.
The study also delves into the impact of travel time to healthcare providers and financial
disadvantage in paying medical bills on access to care outcomes. While longer travel time and
financial barriers negatively affected access, the study reveals that these associations were
mediated by patient-centered care quality factors. This suggests that positive patient experiences
and satisfaction may help mitigate the hindrances posed by geographic and financial barriers,
emphasizing the role of patient-centered care in overcoming access challenges.
3
Furthermore, the perceived value of health care is explored, with the study finding
positive associations with patient-provider interaction quality and shared decision-making.
However, it is noteworthy that the perceived value of health care is linked only to perceived
access to care, not unmet needs for healthcare. This raises questions about the intricate interplay
between perceived value and the actual utilization of healthcare services, suggesting that while
perceived value may influence access perception, it may not necessarily impact healthcareseeking behavior.
The study, while offering valuable insights, acknowledges its limitations, such as its
retrospective cross-sectional nature and the need for longitudinal data to establish causal
relationships. Nevertheless, it contributes essential knowledge to the complex landscape of
healthcare access, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon. It underscores
the need to consider factors beyond health insurance coverage and recognizes the intricate role of
patient-centered care in shaping individuals' experiences and perceptions of healthcare access.
In conclusion, the study unravels the complex dynamics of healthcare access in the
United States, highlighting the pivotal role of patient-centered care in shaping perceptions of
access. As the nation continues its journey towards improved healthcare delivery and embraces
value-based care, understanding and addressing the multifaceted nature of healthcare access
remain paramount for achieving equitable and quality healthcare for all.
4
References
Hong, YR., Samuels, S. K., Huo, JH., Lee, N., Mansoor, H., & Duncan, R. P. (2019). Patientcentered care factors and access to care: A path analysis using the andersen behavior model.
Public Health, 171, 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2019.03.020