Profiling the different needs and expectations of patients for population-based medicine: a case study using segmentation analysis

Segmentation of health-care consumers: psychological determinants of subjective health and other person-related variables

Background

There is an observable, growing trend toward tailoring support programs – in addition to medical treatment – more closely to individuals to help improve patients’ health status. The segmentation model developed by Bloem & Stalpers [Nyenrode Research Papers Series 12:1–22, 2012] may serve as a solid basis for such an approach. The model is focused on individuals’ ‘health experience’ and is therefore a ‘cross-disease’ model. The model is based on the main psychological determinants of subjective health: acceptance and perceived control. The model identifies four segments of health-care consumers, based on high or low values on these determinants. The goal of the present study is twofold: the identification of criteria for differentiating between segments, and profiling of the segments in terms of socio-demographic and socio-economic variables.

Methods

The data (acceptance, perceived control, socio-economic, and socio-demographic variables) for this study were obtained by using an online survey (a questionnaire design), that was given (random sample N = 2500) to a large panel of Dutch citizens. The final sample consisted of 2465 participants – age distribution and education level distribution in the sample were similar to those in the Dutch population; there was an overrepresentation of females. To analyze the data factor analyses, reliability tests, descriptive statistics and t-tests were used.

Results

Cut-off scores, criteria to differentiate between the segments, were defined as the medians of the distributions of control and acceptance. Based on the outcomes, unique profiles have been formed for the four segments: 1. ‘Importance of self-management’ – relatively young, high social class, support programs: high-quality information. 2. ‘Importance of personal control’ – relatively old, living in rural areas, high in homeownership; supportive programs: developing personal control skills. 3. ‘Importance of acceptance’ – relatively young male; supportive programs: help by physicians and nurses. 4. ‘Importance of perspective and direction’ – female, low social class, receiving informal care; support programs: counseling and personal care.

Conclusions

The profiles describe four segments of individuals/patients that are clearly distinct from each other, each with its own description. The enriched descriptions provide a better basis for the allocation and developing of supportive programs and interventions across individuals.

Identifying optimal indicators and purposes of population segmentation through engagement of key stakeholders: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Various population segmentation tools have been developed to inform the design of interventions that improve population health. However, there has been little consensus on the core indicators and purposes of population segmentation. The existing frameworks were further limited by their applicability in different practice settings involving stakeholders at all levels. The aim of this study was to generate a comprehensive set of indicators and purposes of population segmentation based on the experience and perspectives of key stakeholders involved in population health.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling with key stakeholders (e.g. government officials, healthcare professionals, social service providers, researchers) involved in population health at three distinct levels (micro, meso, macro) in Singapore. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was undertaken using NVivo 12.

RESULTS

A total of 25 interviews were conducted. Eight core indicators (demographic characteristics, economic characteristics, behavioural characteristics, disease state, functional status, organisation of care, psychosocial factors and service needs of patients) and 21 sub-indicators were identified. Age and financial status were commonly stated as important indicators that could potentially be used for population segmentation across three levels of participants. Six intended purposes for population segmentation included improving health outcomes, planning for resource allocation, optimising healthcare utilisation, enhancing psychosocial and behavioural outcomes, strengthening preventive efforts and driving policy changes. There was consensus that planning for resource allocation and improving health outcomes were considered two of the most important purposes for population segmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings shed light on the need for a more person-centric population segmentation framework that incorporates upstream and holistic indicators to be able to measure population health outcomes and to plan for appropriate resource allocation. Core elements of the framework may apply to other healthcare settings and systems responsible for improving population health.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was approved by the SingHealth Institutional Review Board (CIRB Reference number: 2017/2597).

Does Quality of Healthcare Service Determine Patient Adherence? Evidence from the Primary Healthcare Sector in India

Patient adherence is extremely important to achieve positive outcome. While quality of healthcare service has been studied as a determinant of patient satisfaction and loyalty, its impact on patient adherence has not been examined. The authors attempt to determine dimensions of quality and their impact on patient adherence in primary healthcare in India. Exploratory factor analysis resulted into seven factors. Factor scores were used for regression to identify the influence of dimensions of service quality on patient adherence. Quality of healthcare emerged as a determinant of patient adherence.

Overall satisfaction of health care users with the quality of and access to health care services: a cross-sectional study in six Central and Eastern European countries

Background

The measurement of consumer satisfaction is an essential part of the assessment of health care services in terms of service quality and health care system responsiveness. Studies across Europe have described various strategies health care users employ to secure services with good quality and quick access. In Central and Eastern European countries, such strategies also include informal payments to health care providers. This paper analyzes the satisfaction of health care users with the quality of and access to health care services. The study focuses on six Central and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Ukraine).

Methods

We use data on past experience with health care use collected in 2010 through uniform national surveys in these countries. Based on these data, we carry out a multi-country analysis to investigate factors associated with the satisfaction of health care users in the six countries.

Results

The results indicate that about 10-14 % of the service users are not satisfied with the quality of, or access to health care services they used in the preceding year. However, significant differences across countries and services are observed, e.g. the highest level of dissatisfaction with access to outpatient services (16.4 %) is observed among patients in Lithuania, while in Poland, the level of dissatisfaction with quality of outpatient and inpatient services are much lower than dissatisfaction with access. The study also analyses the association of users’ satisfaction with factors such as making informal payments, inability to pay and relative importance of service attributes stated by the service users.

Conclusions

These multi-country findings provide evidence for health policy making in the Central and Eastern European countries. Although the average rates of satisfactions per country are relatively high, the results suggest that there is ample room for improvements. Specifically, many service-users still report dissatisfaction especially those who pay informally and those unable to pay. The high shares of informal payments and inability of users to deal with the health expenditures lead to doubts about the fairness of the health care provision in Central and Eastern Europe. There is an urgent need for policy makers in the region to not only acknowledge but also to effectively address this key problem.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1585-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.