A national study of problematic care experiences among Latinos with diabetes

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2010 Nov;21(4):1152-68. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2010.0923.

Abstract

Despite the large disease burden of diabetes, little is known about the care experiences of Latinos with diabetes across diverse primary care settings. This study compares problematic care experiences among Latinos with diabetes across usual care sites (community health centers [CHCs], private physician practices, or without a usual source of care), using a national sample of Latino diabetic patients (N=583). Nearly half of the respondents reported at least one problematic care experience during their last clinician visit. Compared with respondents treated primarily by private physicians, respondents receiving care in CHCs or without a usual source of care reported more problematic care experiences. However, patient health insurance coverage and acculturation accounted for the highest proportion of explainable differences in problematic care experiences between CHCs and private physician offices. Initiatives should clarify the extent to which the care experiences of Latino diabetics, particularly uninsured and less acculturated patients who tend to be cared for by CHCs, can be improved through clinician communication and patient self-management interventions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Community Health Centers / organization & administration*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / ethnology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medically Uninsured
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Private Practice / organization & administration*
  • United States