Factors Associated With Patient Satisfaction With Medical Care for Chronic Low Back Pain (N = 1,352)
| Factor | Univariable Analysis | Multivariable Analysis | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standardized β (95% Cl) | t | P Value | Standardized β (95% Cl) | t | P Value | |
| Age, y | 0.095 (0.042 to 0.148) | 3.50 | <.001 | 0.054 (0.018 to 0.090) | 2.97 | .003 |
| Female (vs male) | −0.001 (−0.054 to 0.052) | −0.03 | .97 | 0.001 (−0.031 to 0.033) | 0.05 | .96 |
| Racial minority group (vs White) | 0.042 (−0.011 to 0.096) | 1.56 | .12 | 0.019 (−0.015 to 0.052) | 1.08 | .28 |
| No. of medical comorbidities | −0.029 (−0.082 to 0.025) | −1.06 | .29 | −0.019 (−0.058 to 0.019) | −1.00 | .32 |
| Physician communication (overall CBQ score) | 0.671 (0.632 to 0.711) | 33.26 | <.001 | 0.182 (0.133 to 0.232) | 7.22 | <.001 |
| Physician empathy (overall CARE score) | 0.789 (0.756 to 0.822) | 47.18 | <.001 | 0.638 (0.588 to 0.688) | 25.14 | <.001 |
| Current physician prescribing of opioids for low back pain | 0.046 (−0.007 to 0.100) | 1.70 | .09 | −0.003 (−0.037 to 0.032) | −0.15 | .88 |
| Low back pain intensity (NRS score) | −0.043 (−0.096 to 0.011) | −1.57 | .12 | 0.036 (−0.001 to 0.074) | 1.91 | .06 |
| Back-related disability (RMDQ score) | −0.129 (−0.182 to −0.076) | −4.78 | <.001 | −0.022 (−0.067 to 0.024) | −0.94 | .35 |
| Health-related quality-of-life deficits (SPADE cluster score) | −0.188 (−0.241 to −0.136) | −7.05 | <.001 | −0.054 (−0.098 to −0.010) | −2.41 | .02 |
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.