Depression and the health care experiences of Medicare beneficiaries.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To compare health care experiences of Medicare beneficiaries with and without symptoms of depression and investigate the role of patient confidence in shaping these experiences.

Data sources

Data came from the 2009 CAHPS Medicare 4.0 Fee-for-Service (FFS) Survey, which was fielded to a national probability sample of 298,492 FFS Medicare beneficiaries.

Study design

Linear regression was used to model associations of depression with four global ratings and three composite measures of health care and to test whether beneficiaries' confidence in their ability to recognize the need for care mediates these associations.

Principal findings

Beneficiaries with depressive symptoms reported worse experiences with care across the full range of patient experience

SUBMITTER: Martino SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3197881 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature