The level of satisfaction may be affected by many factors, and therefore it becomes important when carrying out such researches that the contexts should be clearly defined. The subjects selected must not be selected randomly, instead the selection should be focused so as to identify and relate to one particular area of the theme. Although it may give a some what biased view of the problems of satisfaction among patients, it is important to realize that not every patient goes to a healthcare facility with the same problem. Similarly, not every patient is same.
In order to identify the true satisfaction levels, one must be able to identify the individual units of the population group and thereby create a picture that represents the whole population group, but still be able to identify the individual problems that each group may be facing. An example of such a study would be one conducted in 2002 by Iezzoni. Iezzoni aimed to identify the levels of satisfaction that is present in the disabled people with regards to various aspects of healthcare. The study although may have a limited vision and scope, is very good in particularly identifying the problems pertaining to the disable persons.
(Iezzoni, 2002) The study was based on the assumption that sick people who come across more frequently with the healthcare systems have more negative attitudes towards the healthcare systems. This situation would become more so in cases of people who experience some form of functional limitations. Not every healthcare facility caters to the needs of people with limitations, or may not have the necessary equipment or personnel to deal with them. This unavailability can affect the levels of satisfaction experienced with such people. What is to understand that the number if people with some form of physical limitation are not rare.
In fact, 64% of the total 33. 58 million Medicare using people demonstrate at least one potential disability condition. This percentage increases with the advancing age. (Iezzoni, 2002) The study identified the different levels of satisfaction by dividing the samples and subjects in to categories such as age and sex. When comparing such individuals with those subjects who had no disabilities, it was seen that the disabled people had more dissatisfaction when compared to their counter parts. The age group division of less than 65 years of age demonstrated more dissatisfaction when compared to the age group above 65 years of age.
Despite these findings, Iezzoni was able to show that people with disabilities do show satisfaction for their healthcare system. There was a direct relationship of dissatisfaction with the increasing disability. Those who were affiliated with the managed care described less dissatisfaction, but were still more still more dissatisfied with the system when compared to the fee-for-service beneficiaries. When comparing preventive services, the HMOs were superior to fee-for-service Medicare. Overall, the study was able to demonstrate good satisfaction levels from the disabled patients. (Iezzoni, 2002)