The Relationship between Patient-Centered Medical Home Characteristics and Patient Dissatisfaction at a Federally Qualified Health Center

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between patients' assessment of patient-centered medical home (PCMH) characteristics and patient experiences at a federally qualified health center. The survey was based on the Consumer Assessment of Health care Providers and Systems (CAHPS) instrument. Patient-centered medical home characteristics include access to care and coordination, provider communication, office staff helpfulness, and discrimination. Outcomes were related to patient experiences reflecting their dissatisfaction and lack of trust. Our sample (N = 257) was 76% female, 39% older than 50, 40% with college education, and 84% African American. We performed multiple logistic regression to examine the association between PCMH characteristics and patient dissatisfaction, adjusting for demographics. Approximately 26% of the participants reported dissatisfaction with at least one outcome. Effective provider communication was the primary contributor to decreased odds of patient dissatisfaction and lack of trust. The study highlights the prominence of provider communication for patients using safety-net providers.