Clocks Moving at Different Speeds: Cultural Variation in the Satisfaction With Wait Time for Outpatient Care.

OBJECTIVE

To explore racial/ethnic differences in satisfaction with wait time of scheduled office visits by comparing electronic health record (EHR)-based, patient-reported, and patient satisfaction with wait time

STUDY SETTING

: A large multispecialty ambulatory care organization in Northern California. Patient experience surveys were collected between 2010 and 2014. Surveys were mailed after randomly selected nonurgent visits. Returned survey data were linked to EHR data for surveyed visits.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational, retrospective study designed to assess differences in patient-reported wait time, wait-time satisfaction, and actual EHR-recorded wait time with respect to self-reported race/ethnicity. Multivariate regression models with provider random effects were used to evaluate differences.

RESULTS

Asian subgroups (Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) and Latinos gave poorer ratings for wait time than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). The average wait time reported by Asians was longer than that reported by NHWs. On the basis of EHR data, however, no minority group was likely to wait longer, and all, except for Japanese (10%), were more likely to be late for the appointment (16%: Filipino and 23%: Asian Indian), than NHWs (13%).

CONCLUSIONS

Given actual wait times, Asians perceive longer wait time and were less satisfied with wait times. Asians may have different expectations about wait time at the clinic.