Table 1 Health service outcome variables, response options and categories in logistic regression
Health care measure | Question | Response options | Logistic regression (categorical and/or ordinal) |
|---|---|---|---|
Unmet need | |||
General unmet need | In the last 12 months, was there ever a time that you needed health care but could not get it? | Yes No Did not need healthcare Don’t know (DK)/refused | Categorical (yes vs. no) DK/refused classified as missing |
Unmet need – mental health | In the past 12 months, did you ever feel that you needed professional help for your emotions, stress, mental health, or substance use, but you didn’t receive that help? This could have been because of personal reasons (for example it cost too much) or reasons you couldn’t control (for example no appointments available). | Yes No DK/Refused | Categorical (yes vs. no) DK/refused classified as missing |
Unmet need – primary care | In the last 12 months, has there been any time when you needed to see a GP about your own health, but didn’t get to see any doctor at all? With a follow-up question of: How many times has this happened in the past 12 months? | Yes No DK/R Ordinal responses: 0, 1, 2, 3–5, > 5, DK/R | Categorical (yes vs. no) DK/refused classified as missing Ordinal models use frequency of how many times this has happened |
Satisfaction (Asked only of participants with a usual medical centre) | |||
Satisfaction with medical centre | Overall, how satisfied are you with the care you got at your usual medical centre in the last 12 months? This includes all staff not just the GP. | Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfied or dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied NA – I have not been to my usual medical centre in the last 12 months | Categorical analysis (very dissatisfied/dissatisfied/neither satisfied or dissatisfied vs. very satisfied/satisfied) NA classified as missing (not in scope for question) Analysed as ordinal variable |
Patient experiences (only asked if had been to GP in the last 12 months) | |||
Explaining health conditions | Thinking about your last visit to a GP… How good was the doctor at explaining your health conditions and treatments in a way that you could understand? | Very good Good Neither good or bad Poor Very Poor Doesn’t apply | Categorical analysis (very poor/poor/neither good or bad vs. very good/good) Also analysed as ordinal variable Doesn’t apply classified as missing |
Involvement in decisions about care | Thinking about your last visit to a GP… How good was the doctor at involving you in decisions about your care, such as discussing different treatment options? | Very good Good Neither good or bad Poor Very Poor Doesn’t apply | Categorical analysis (very poor/poor/neither good or bad vs. very good/good) Also analysed as ordinal variable Doesn’t apply classified as missing |
Being treated with respect and dignity | Thinking about your last visit to a GP… How good was the doctor at treating you with respect and dignity? | Very good Good Neither good or bad Poor Very Poor Doesn’t apply | Categorical analysis (very poor/poor/neither good or bad vs. very good/good) Also analysed as ordinal variable Doesn’t apply classified as missing |
Confidence and trust in GP | Still thinking about your last visit to a GP…. Did you have confidence and trust in the last GP you saw? | Yes, definitely Yes, to some extent No, not at all | Categorical analysis (no, not at all/yes, to some extent vs. yes, definitely) Also analysed as ordinal variable |