An assessment of the level of satisfaction of geriatric patients on their health care providers /
Virginia V. Cruz [and two others]
BACKGROUND: Patients satisfaction is used to assess quality of health. This descriptive study serves as a preliminary report to determine the level of patients satisfaction on his health care provider. Patients often leave the hospital without the benefit of giving feedback on their satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Unless the patient expresses his opinion, his health care provider will assume that optimum care has been rendered.
METHODS: 368 elderly patients who consulted at the OPD of Santo Tomas University Hospital Clinical Division for the first time from May 15-June 30, 1996 participated in this study. A structured 15-item, self-administered questionnaire, containing four of the Wares dimensions of patient satisfaction namely: communication skills, technical performance, quality time with patient and accessibility/convenience as dependent variables, was used. Subjects rated items on a 5-point Likert scale. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple correlation analysis and coefficient of determination and Kendalls coefficienct of concordance to determine significance.
RESULTS: The highest level of patient satisfaction (69%) was noted to be on health care providers performing thorough physical examination. Dissatisfaction was noted in any of the items. Effectiveness of the physician to instruct well treatment regimen rated the least. Correlation analysis revealed that age, civil status, educational attainment and caretaker significantly affect patients level of satisfaction.
CONCLUSION: This study showed that most patients (69%) assessed their health care providers to be satisfactory.
The Filipino Family Physician, 1997 35 ( 3 ) pages 101-112