Medical Care. 19(2):127-140, FEBRUARY 1981
PMID: 7206846
Issn Print: 0025-7079
Publication Date: February 1981
The Concept of Access: Definition and Relationship to Consumer Satisfaction
Roy Penchansky;J William Thomas;
+ Author Information
*Professor, School of Public Health, University of Michigan†Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Abstract
Access is an important concept in health policy and health services research, yet it is one which has not been defined or employed precisely. To some authors “access” refers to entry into or use of the health care system, while to others it characterizes factors influencing entry or use. The purpose of this article is to propose a taxonomic definition of “access.” Access is presented here. as a general concept that summarizes a set of more specific dimensions describing the fit between the patient and the health care system. The specific dimensions are availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability and acceptability. Using interview data on patient satisfaction, the discriminant validity of these dimensions is investigated. Results provide strong support for the view that differentiation does exist among the five areas and that the measures do relate to the phenomena with which they are identified.
