PREDICTORS OF PATIENT AND PROXY SATISFACTION WITH DISCHARGE PLANS

If patients are not readily available, family members or others someti mes are used as substitute informants when evaluating consumer satisfa ction. Little is known, however, about the extent to which responses o f patients and proxies are interchangeable. In this study, patients (N = 225) or significant others (N = 115) provided an overall rating of discharge plans, as well as information on psychosocial, health, and p ost-hospital service related factors, at 3-4 weeks post-discharge. Whi le no difference was found between mean plan ratings for the two group s, substantial differences were found in factors predicting satisfacti on for patients and for proxies. Results indicate that care should be taken in using proxy ratings in the place of patient ratings, particul arly when developing strategies for enhancing consumer satisfaction. F indings are discussed as they relate to continuity of care initiatives and programs for enhancement of desirable health utilization behavior s, in the context of managed care.