Testing proximal, intermediate, and health outcomes of patient centered communication among non-pregnant women of childbearing age with diabetes mellitus: Findings from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2012-2018

Tiffany B Kindratt; Godfred O Boateng; Grace Ellen Brannon; Bala Yadu Vamsi Sankuratri; Kyrah K Brown

doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100185

Testing proximal, intermediate, and health outcomes of patient centered communication among non-pregnant women of childbearing age with diabetes mellitus: Findings from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2012-2018

PEC Innov. 2023 Jun 28:3:100185. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100185. eCollection 2023 Dec 15.

Authors

Tiffany B Kindratt¹, Godfred O Boateng^{1

2}, Grace Ellen Brannon³, Bala Yadu Vamsi Sankuratri¹, Kyrah K Brown¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
² School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Communication, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.

Abstract

Objective: To determine associations between patient-centered communication (PCC) and overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, and management adherence among reproductive-age women with diabetes within the framework of Epstein and Street's conceptual model.

Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from the 2012-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample included 493 non-pregnant women of childbearing age (18-45 years) with diabetes. Independent variables were domains of PCC (listening, explaining, respecting, spending time, giving instructions, among others). Dependent variables were overall healthcare ratings, self-efficacy, and management adherence. Crude and adjusted associations were evaluated.

Results: Non-pregnant women of childbearing age who reported that their provider always listened to them, explained things, showed respect, and spent enough time with them had greater odds of reporting high overall healthcare ratings. Those who reported their provider always listened to them and spent enough time with them had greater odds of reporting better diabetes care adherence than those whose health care providers did not.

Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that non-pregnant women of childbearing age who report having optimal PCC are more likely to adhere to their diabetes care regimen.

Innovation: This is the first known study using a nationally representative sample of non-pregnant women of childbearing age to examine multiple layers of PCC.

Keywords: Diabetes care self-efficacy; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes self-management; Health disparities; Maternal health; Medical expenditure panel survey; Patient provider communication; Patient-centered care.