Associations Between Family Members' Perceptions of the Health Care System and the Health of Youths with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This study examined family members' satisfaction with the health care system and the association between satisfaction and health outcomes in youths with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects were 96 adolescents with IDDM and their parents. Satisfaction with the health care system was measured for physicians' personal qualities, physicians' professional competence, and the cost and convenience of medical care. Health outcome measures included the adolescents' adherence to treatment, metabolic control (HbA_1c), and the number of diabetes-related hospitalizations during the previous year. Family members generally had favorable attitudes toward physicians' personal qualities and professional competence, and neutral attitudes regarding the cost and convenience of medical care Adolescents' adherence to treatment was positively associated with fathers' perceptions of physicians' professional competence, and marginally (p < .05) related to mothers' perceptions of physicians' professional competence and youths' perceptions of physicians' personal qualities. Youths' perceptions of physicians' professional competence correlated negatively with the number of hsopitalizations during the past year, and, unexpectedly, correlated positively with metabolic control. Interpretations of these findings and suggestions for future research and presented.