High patient satisfaction doesn't guarantee quality care

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-02 00:01

New Zealand; Pacific

Image by Towfiqui Barbhuiya via UnSplash

Many people with type 2 diabetes report high levels of patient satisfaction even if they aren't receiving the right amount of medication to manage their blood sugar, according to new research in the New Zealand Medical Journal. A survey of 362 people with poorly managed type 2 diabetes returned an average patient satisfaction score of 29 out of 36, with Pacific peoples rating their care more highly than other groups. Authors of the study say that more work is needed to ensure people are getting the medications they need to lower blood glucose and avoid complications, and that patient satisfaction scores are not necessarily a good indicator of quality of care.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

A total of 346 adults living with type 2 diabetes and poor glycaemic control across rural and urban centres in the upper North Island who agreed to take part in an 8-month randomised crossover study of taking two additional medications for diabetes were asked about their baseline level of diabetes treatment satisfaction using a validated questionnaire. Overall, treatment satisfaction was rated highly, with a mean score of 29 (out of a maximum score of 36). Pacific peoples (comprising 32% of the sample) scored their diabetes treatment satisfaction higher than all other ethnicity groups (23% Māori, 26% European, 19% other). Hence, it is important to recognise that people may indicate high diabetes treatment satisfaction even if they are undertreated. Further attention at the healthcare provider level and health system level is required to ensure people living with type 2 diabetes and poor glycaemic control receive the additional medications they need to lower blood glucose and avoid complications.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Auckland, Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa, Tongan Health Society, Pinnacle Incorporated, Hauora, Northland District Health Board, Ngāti Porou Hauora, University of Otago, Centre, University of Waikato, The Fono, Middlemore Clinical Trials

Funder: RM has participated in industry sponsored meetings and received speaking honoraria from Sanofi, Lilly, Novonordisk, Novartis, Astra Zeneca, Boeringer Ingelheim. This study received funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (Grant 18-861)

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