Associations of CAHPS Composites With Global Ratings of the Doctor Vary by Medicare Beneficiaries’ Health Status

This study examines whether the association of care coordination with global ratings of one’s personal doctor varies by number of chronic conditions and self-rated health. Study Design: We used nationally representative Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey data to evaluate care coordination, doctor communication, getting needed care, getting care quickly, count of 6 chronic conditions (angina, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart attack, stroke), self-rated general health (5-point scale, poor to excellent, scored linearly), and interactions among them as predictors of the CAHPS global rating of personal doctor (scored 0–100 with 100 being best possible personal doctor) using linear regression models. The analytic sample included 242,871 Medicare fee-for-service and managed care beneficiaries in 2013: 56% female; 14% 18–64, 47% 65–74, 27% 75–84, and 11% 85 and older; and 48% high school education or less. Results: The CAHPS composites (of care coordination, doctor communication, getting needed care, and getting care quickly) and number of chronic conditions were significantly positively associated with ratings of personal doctor (P
Source: Medical Care - Category: Health Management Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research