Long- and short-term frequent attenders' perceptions of patient-centredness in Finnish primary healthcare: A cross-sectional survey and the equivalence of the factor structure of the 36-item patient-centred primary care instrument

Huhtakangas Moona; Tolvanen Mimmi; Kyngäs Helvi; Kanste Outi

doi:10.1111/scs.13256

Long- and short-term frequent attenders' perceptions of patient-centredness in Finnish primary healthcare: A cross-sectional survey and the equivalence of the factor structure of the 36-item patient-centred primary care instrument

Scand J Caring Sci. 2024 Mar 24. doi: 10.1111/scs.13256. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Huhtakangas Moona¹, Tolvanen Mimmi², Kyngäs Helvi¹, Kanste Outi¹

Affiliations

¹ Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
² Northern Finland Birth Cohort, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

PMID: 38523061
DOI: 10.1111/scs.13256

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to compare long- and short-term frequent attenders' (FAs) perceptions of patient-centredness and to assess the equivalence of the factor structure of patient-centred primary care (PCPC) instrument for long- and short-term FAs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of long-term (n = 234) and short-term (n = 261) FAs within the primary healthcare of one city in Finland. The data collected in January-July 2020 via 'the 36-item PCPC instrument' were analysed using Pearson's chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Cronbach's alpha, and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA).

Results: Long-term FAs had worse perceptions of patient-centredness than short-term FAs across all subscales: patients' preferences, physical comfort, coordination of care, continuity and transition, emotional support, access to care, information and education, and family and friends. The MGCFA indicated a good fit for the predicted eight-factor model.

Conclusions: Long-term FAs' care needs are currently not being met, indicating the need for considering how the way healthcare services are arranged and care is provided affects prolonged and high care needs. Various dimensions of patient-centredness need to be addressed when developing not only FAs' care but also wider service paths. A distinction should be made between long- and short-term frequent attendance when identifying and addressing FAs' service needs.

Keywords: frequent attenders; health services needs and demand; healthcare utilisation; patient‐centredness.