Research Article

Factors Associated with Women’s Chronic Disease Management: Associations of Healthcare Frustrations, Physician Support, and Self-Care Needs

Table 3

Perceived physician support by age and needing help learning HOW to take better care of own health.

Perceived physician support scale items Total  
Age groupNeed help learning how to care for health
44 to 64 
65+ 
or No 
Yes 
or

Help you get appointments that you need
 Never12.9%14.3%10.2%4.660.32416.0%7.1%8.500.075
 Rarely5.9%3.8%2.1%4.8%8.1%
 Occasionally12.9%9.1%3.8%10.1%18.2%
 Frequently17.4%12.9%4.5%17.6%17.2%
 Always50.9%30.7%20.2%51.6%49.5%
Ask if you understand your medications when your doctor prescribes them
 Never15.3%15.8%14.1%1.850.76317.6%11.0%7.300.121
 Rarely6.6%7.4%5.1%6.4%7.0%
 Occasionally14.2%9.7%4.5%10.6%21.0%
 Frequently17.4%10.4%7.3%18.6%15.0%
 Always46.5%46.3%46.5%46.8%46.0%
Talk to other doctors and nurses who are taking care of you
 Never25.4%25.4%25.5%4.080.39528.3%20.0%4.790.309
 Rarely15.0%11.5%3.5%12.3%20.0%
 Occasionally26.8%24.3%31.6%26.2%28.0%
 Frequently17.1%11.8%5.2%16.6%18.0%
 Always15.7%9.8%5.9%16.6%14.0%
Make plans to contact you after a visit to see how you are doing
 Never26.8%28.6%24.5%2.800.59128.3%24.0%4.250.373
 Rarely15.3%10.8%4.5%13.4%19.0%
 Occasionally25.1%16.4%8.7%27.8%20.0%
 Frequently17.1%9.4%7.3%16.0%19.0%
 Always15.7%10.5%5.2%14.4%18.0%
Tell you about other people who can help you with your health problems
 Never30.1%19.4%10.4%5.060.28230.5%29.3%3.560.469
 Rarely11.5%6.6%5.2%12.3%10.1%
 Occasionally30.1%18.7%11.1%30.5%29.3%
 Frequently15.0%11.8%3.5%12.3%20.2%
 Always13.3%9.7%3.8%14.4%11.1%
Ask for your ideas about how you can take care of your health problems
 Never29.2%19.2%9.8%2.660.61633.0%22.0%10.480.033
 Rarely13.2%9.8%3.5%11.7%16.0%
 Occasionally23.6%14.3%9.4%18.6%33.0%
 Frequently20.8%14.7%6.3%22.3%18.0%
 Always13.2%12.2%14.4%14.4%11.0%
Perceived physician support tertiles (higher scores indicate more support)
 Highest tertile25.40%27.50%21.40%1.930.38127.10%22.20%1.100.577
 Middle tertile41.50%41.80%40.80%41.50%41.40%
 Lowest tertile (referent group)33.10%30.70%37.80%31.40%36.40%
Perceived physician support scale (ranging from 6 to 30)18.70 (±5.84)18.52 (±5.83)19.03 (±5.87)−0.700.48218.53 (±6.06)19.01 (±5.43)−0.670.505