Factors Associated With Patient Satisfaction With Medical Care for Chronic Low Back Pain in the Long-Term Medical Care Subgroup (n = 355)
| Factor | Univariable Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standardized β (95% Cl) | t | P Value | Standardized β (95% Cl) | t | P Value | |
| Age, y | 0.102 (−0.002 to 0.206) | 1.93 | .05 | 0.055 (−0.012 to 0.122) | 1.63 | .10 |
| Female (vs male) | 0.054 (−0.051 to 0.158) | 1.01 | .31 | 0.042 (−0.015 to 0.100) | 1.45 | .15 |
| Racial minority group (vs White) | 0.081 (−0.023 to 0.185) | 1.52 | .13 | 0.095 (0.034 to 0.155) | 3.09 | .002 |
| No. of medical comorbidities | −0.004 (−0.109 to 0.101) | −0.08 | .94 | −0.002 (−0.072 to 0.068) | −0.06 | .96 |
| Physician communication (overall CBQ score) | 0.751 (0.682 to 0.820) | 21.37 | <.001 | 0.208 (0.105 to 0.311) | 3.96 | <.001 |
| Physician empathy (overall CARE score) | 0.826 (0.767 to 0.885) | 27.56 | <.001 | 0.633 (0.529 to 0.737) | 11.95 | <.001 |
| Current physician prescribing of opioids for low back pain | 0.110 (0.006 to 0.214) | 2.08 | .04 | 0.009 (−0.051 to 0.069) | 0.29 | .77 |
| Low back pain intensity (NRS score) | −0.077 (−0.181 to 0.027) | −1.45 | .15 | −0.018 (−0.085 to 0.049) | −0.53 | .60 |
| Back-related disability (RMDQ score) | −0.142 (−0.245 to −0.038) | −2.69 | .008 | 0.016 (−0.068 to 0.100) | 0.37 | .72 |
| Health-related quality-of-life deficits (SPADE cluster score) | −0.238 (−0.340 to −0.136) | −4.61 | <.001 | −0.085 (−0.168 to −0.001) | −2.00 | .05 |
CARE = Consultation and Relational Empathy measure; CBQ = Communication Behavior Questionnaire; NRS = numerical rating scale for low back pain intensity; PSQ-18 = Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (18 items); RMDQ = Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire; SPADE = sleep disturbance, pain interference with activities, anxiety, depression, low energy or fatigue.
Note: Results are based on linear regression models with the table factors as independent variables and the general satisfaction score on the PSQ-18 as the dependent variable. All factors listed in the table were used to compute the adjusted results in the multivariable analysis. Positive and negative standardized β coefficients are associated with increased and decreased patient satisfaction scores, respectively.