Patient's evaluations and expectations of primary care medicine in Israel revisited after two decades - Health Service Research.

BACKGROUND:The European Task Force on Patient Evaluations of General Practice's (EUROPEP) internationally-validated questionnaire measures patients' satisfaction with their primary care physicians. A study published in 1999 showed positive evaluations of primary care among patients across Europe and included 1603 Israeli patients. Major changes have taken place during the past 20 years, in Israel's society, in the healthcare system, and particularly in primary care clinics. OBJECTIVES:The study aims to reevaluate patients' satisfaction with their primary care physicians and care clinics in Israel and compares the results to the 1999 survey. METHODS:A survey based on the EUROPEP questionnaire was conducted among 1617 people. Data collection was carried out by an internet panel for the Hebrew speaking population and by a phone questionnaire for the Arabic speaking population. RESULTS:The study's results show a significant reduction in satisfaction. Notably, patients' satisfaction with physicians' support relating to emotional problems and physicians' explanations about referrals and workup plans have dramatically deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS:The decrease in patients' satisfaction with primary care physicians and clinics found in the current study is concerning and requires recognition and further exploration. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:The results may be used as a baseline for future assessments of trends in patients' satisfaction.