OBJECTIVES

Empirical evidence has shown that there is a positive relationship between healthcare providers’ satisfaction and patient health outcomes. This study was designed to examine the level of satisfaction among HIV care providers practicing at outpatient facilities that were sampled for the Houston Medical Monitoring Project (MMP).

METHODS

Data used for this study were obtained from the MMP provider survey conducted in Houston/Harris County, Texas in 2013-2014 using the probability sample of HIV care providers practicing at outpatient HIV care facilities sampled for MMP. HIV care providers (n=40) were recruited with a modified version of Dillman’s Tailored Design Method and responded via mail or a web-based survey response system (Response rate=57.6%). Respondents were guaranteed anonymity and asked to rank their level of satisfaction on a Likert scale (1=very satisfied, 5 =very unsatisfied) for 7 statements relating to their HIV medical practice and reimbursement for services.

RESULTS

Overall, 56.7% (95% CI: 39.2-72.6) of the HIV care providers indicated that they are satisfied with their practice. The level of satisfaction varied by items with providers indicating that they were satisfied with their salary or reimbursement (45.0%), support and coverage from other HIV providers (52.3%), availability of specialists for consultation and referral (51.3%), effort required to keep up with clinical and/or pharmaceutical advances (43.6%) and the available time for administrative work (25.0%). Physicians (53.3%) were significantly (p=0.023) more satisfied compared to the nurse practitioners and physician assistants (3.3%). Providers who were White (27.6%) were more satisfied with their medical practice than those who were Blacks and Hispanics (13.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the need for a review of the reimbursement for services as well as the provision of adequate support services as means for encouraging HIV care providers. These efforts may help improve their level of satisfaction thereby enhancing patients’ health outcomes.