Health literacy, trust in doctors, acculturation – analysis of patient satisfaction of Arab immigrants in general medical care in Germany

Patient satisfaction is a crucial measure of healthcare quality, especially for Arab immigrants who often face barriers in accessing care. In this study, we investigated patient satisfaction among Arab immigrants in Germany’s general medical care system, focusing on the roles of trust in doctors, health literacy, and acculturation. Using a cross-sectional online survey, we collected data from 165 eligible participants who had previously consulted doctors in Germany. We used validated instruments to assess patient satisfaction (EUROPEP), trust in doctors, health literacy, and acculturation. We examined associations between these variables using correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Overall patient satisfaction was moderate (mean score: 78.5 ± 18.1), with particular dissatisfaction reported regarding accessibility issues like appointment scheduling and waiting times. Trust in doctors emerged as the strongest predictor of patient satisfaction (β = 0.82, p < 0.001). Higher levels of health literacy (β = −0.16, p < 0.001) and acculturation (β = −0.12, p = 0.003) were independently associated with lower satisfaction. The psychosocial regression model explained a substantial proportion of variance in patient satisfaction (R² = 0.76). In contrast, sociodemographic variables, including gender, education, and duration of residence in Germany, were not significantly associated with patient satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of trust-building and effective communication in healthcare for migrant populations. The findings underscore the relevance of culturally sensitive healthcare approaches that address both interpersonal and systemic factors to improve patient experiences for Arab immigrants in Germany.