Patient safety culture assessment in Oman

To illustrate the patient safety culture in Oman as gleaned via 12 indices of patient safety culture derived from the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture [HSPSC] and to compare the average positive response rates in patient safety culture between Oman and the USA, Taiwan, and Lebanon. This was a cross-sectional research study employed to gauge the performance of HSPSC safety indices among health workers representing five secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the northern region of Oman. The participants [n=398] represented different professional designations of hospital staff. Analyses were performed using univariate statistics. The overall average positive response rate for the 12 patient safety culture dimensions of the HSPSC survey in Oman was 58%. The indices from HSPSC that were endorsed the highest included 'organizational learning and continuous improvement' while conversely, 'non-punitive response to errors' was ranked the least. There were no significant differences in average positive response rates between Oman and the United States [58% vs. 61%; p=0.666], Taiwan [58% vs. 64%; p=0.386], and Lebanon [58% vs. 61%; p=0.666]. This study provides the first empirical study on patient safety culture in Oman which is similar to those rates reported elsewhere. It highlights the specific strengths and weaknesses which may stem from the specific milieu prevailing in Oman

Reasons for consultation among patients attending primary healthcare centres in Oman

Pathways to care or care-seeking, which translate into healthcare utilization, have been investigated in many parts of the world, but there is a dearth of studies in the Arabian Gulf. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of attendees at primary healthcare centres in northern Oman and their reasons for visiting. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 676 participants attending 12 primary healthcare centres between June and July 2006. The catchment area was selected to represent the population structure in Oman. The 12-item questionnaire was read to every fifth eligible patient entering each healthcare centre for a routine appointment. Analyses were conducted using univariate statistics. About a third [n = 200; 29.6%] of the participants had a history of chronic illness; 231 [34%] were on regular medications; 211 [31%] were taking part in health education programmes; 130 [19%] were open to complementary medicine. The majority of the participants mentioned physician's advice [n = 570; 84%] as the strongest reason for seeking consultation. Conversely, physician's advice was strongly related to particular demographic factors. This observational study identified some characteristics and reasons for visiting healthcare facilities in northern Oman. These are discussed within the context of prevailing sociocultural factors. The implications for the prevention and detection of ill health in Oman are also discussed

Quality of diabetes care: a cross-sectional observational study in Oman

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of diabetes care in Oman. This was a cross-sectional observational study. Fifty percent of all those attending six general health centers in June 2005 were systematically selected for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. A total of 430 diabetic subjects were included. Just over 61% percent of the subjects were female [n = 263]. The overall mean age of the cohort was 52 +/- 12 years ranging from 6 to 84 years. Only 40% [n = 171] and 39% [n = 169] of the diabetics had their random blood sugar [RBS] and fasting blood sugar [FBS] documented, respectively. However, 79% [n = 339] had either RBS or FBS done according to the records. Documentation for the other measurements ranged from 74% [n = 317] for HbA1c and low density lipoproteins-cholesterol [LDL] to 95% [n = 409] for systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP] readings. A total of 58% [n = 249] of patients had non-missing values of HbA1c, SBP/DBP, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, high density lipoproteins-cholesterol [HDL], and triglycerides. Only 2.4% [6 out of 249 diabetics] were simultaneously within goal for HbA1c [<7%], SBP/DBP [<=130/80 mmHg], total cholesterol [<5.2 mmol/L], LDL-cholesterol [<3.3 mmol/L], HDL-cholesterol [>1.1 - <1.68 mmol/L], and triglycerides [<1.8 mmol/L]. There was good documentation of values for the indicators used in the assessment of quality. However, the proportion [2.4%] of those meeting internationally recognised goals for the three diabetes-related factors was extremely low

Relatives' advice and health care-seeking behaviour in Oman

It has been well established that pathways to care are considerably modified by local, social and psychological characteristics as well as the doctor-patient relationship. Scant attention has been paid to the role of family advice in care-seeking. In Omani society, traditional family values and a collective mindset are the norm rather than the exception. This paper examines how family advice affects the trajectory of care seeking. Methodology: During 2006-2007, data was collected through face-to-face interviews among a randomised sample of patients seeking medical consultation in various primary health care centres in the northern region of Oman. This study enrolled a total of 493 patients. The association between the advice of family members as a reason to seek health care and other predictors was analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The data suggest that the advice of family members in care-seeking is strongly associated with gender, education, history of chronic illness, previous exposure to traditional medicine, and health education, as well as the history of immunisation. These findings suggest that the advice of family members remains a strong catalyst for care-seeking in Oman. The psychosocial factors affecting care-seeking leading to underutilisation of services or otherwise are discussed

Quality of relationship with supervisor and work exhaustion among nurses

To study the impact of quality of relationships with supervisors, operationalised as leader-member exchange [LMX], on work exhaustion among nurses working for a hospital in Oman. Data were collected from 229 nurses using a questionnaire. LMX was found to be a significant negative correlate of work exhaustion directly, as well as beyond the controlled- for correlates of gender, organisation experience, occupation experience, education level, job satisfaction, occupation satisfaction and work interfering with family. A perceived higher quality work relationship with one's supervisor appears to have a significant impact on reducing perceived work exhaustion among nurses

Impact of geographical proximity on health care seeking behaviour in northern Oman

Despite its impact on health policy, the relationship between geographical proximity and health care seeking has received scant attention in the medical literature. This paper aims to evaluate the relationship between geographic proximity and health care usage behaviour among patients seeking medical consultation in the northern region of Oman. During 2006- 2007, data was collected via face-to-face interviews among 428 randomized patients seeking medical consultation in various primary health care centres in the northern region of Oman. The association between geographical proximity as a reason to seek health care and other predictors was also analysed using multivariable logistic regression. The data suggest that preference for geographical proximity as a reason for seeking health care is strongly associated with marital status, previous exposure to traditional medicine and health education, as well as history of immunisation. This finding supports the view from elsewhere that geographical proximity remains a strong catalyst for care seeking in Oman. The psychosocial factors affecting care seeking are discussed