ABSTRACT
Patients must be the focus when planning a hospital discharge process. Patient discharge information is what the patients and/or their families expect to receive from the health professionals whom treated them before they are discharged from a hospital or clinic. This information is given in terms of the physical, psychological, and social aspects in relation to the various health conditions. The objective of this study is to investigate patients' perception and satisfaction regarding the information given to them on hospital discharge. This is an observational and analytical cross-sectional study implemented in the city of Almadinah Almunawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Time bound sampling technique was used over a period of three months to interview patients or those who accompany them in the outpatient clinics at public and private hospitals in Almadinah Almunawwarah. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the level of satisfaction with the quality of the information given to patients or those who accompany them on their hospital discharge. The mean age of the participants was 34.23 +/- 9.34 years. Public hospitals had more admissions among the sample, accounting for around 63% compared to 37% for private hospitals. Satisfaction with information about what the patients need to do after leaving the hospital and about the potential complications of their medical problems was higher in private hospitals [P < 0.05*]. Satisfaction with information about dietary plans and the arrangements done by the hospitals for the follow-up after discharge was highly significant in private hospitals compared to public hospitals [P < 0.001**]. Patients admitted for causes related to obstetrical or gynecological issues were more satisfied with the information about whom to call in emergency situations [P < 0.05*] and on how to care for surgical or wound sites [P < 0.01**]. There is an urgent need for health planners and professionals to formulate detailed, written patient discharge information plans that have all the information the patients may need during and after their discharge from the hospital/clinic
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Patient Satisfaction , Patient Discharge Summaries , Quality of Health Care , PerceptionABSTRACT
Quality is a major concern of health care agencies all over the world. Patients' satisfaction has been investigated in many colleges of dentistry in various countries. Dental complaints made by patients may cause a great deal of anxiety and stress among dental care providers. It is important for the profession to promote high standards of professional conduct among dentists. The aim of this study is to determine patients' satisfaction regarding the quality of dental care at dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. A cross sectional analytical observational study was conducted at the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. A random sampling technique was employed over a threemonth period;March 1st-May 31st 2012. A self administered [Arabic/English] questionnaire was used. A total of 202 patients qualified for the study, but only 162 agreed to participate with a response rate of 80.19: [55.6%] were Saudi nationals and 44.4% were Non-Saudis. The overall ranking of factors related to satisfaction revealed a mean percentage of 79.5% agreement for the 4 disciplines of satisfaction denoting a high level of satisfaction. The association between respondents' nationality and the characteristics of the four disciplines of satisfaction revealed significant difference between Saudi and Non Saudis. The majority of patients were satisfied with the patient-dentist interaction, technical competency, administrative efficiency and clinic set up environment at the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. Continuous evaluation of patient satisfaction is to be part and parcel of the oral health care delivery by the College of Dentistry at Taibah University to ensure patient satisfaction.