The time motion study of an out-patient department in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu

Background: The time taken by the patients during their visit to the hospital out-patient department (OPD) at various service delivery points, the time motion study and by assessing the patient satisfaction regarding the hospital out-patient department, the present study was conducted. This study established the clinical workflow of various events and the operational efficiency of the out-patient department in a busy tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu. Methods: The data pertaining to the time motion study was recorded in hours, minutes and seconds. The patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-10 item questionnaire) was requested by interviewing the patients. The data was statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the SPSS v26.0. Results: The maximum time spent was at the investigation counter 00:15:12 and SD was ±00:08:56. The total average waiting time spent during the hospital visits was 00:32:25±00:18:17. The patient satisfaction questionnaire revealed that the overall satisfaction was found to be good in 38 (62.3%) and excellent in 10 (16.4%). Conclusions: The time spent at the investigation counters which was at the peak can be reduced by prioritization and faster case work-up. The staffing pattern was adequate except on government holidays, there were no particular delay in the OPD care setting.

A study to assess the pattern of alcohol and tobacco usage in the rural field practice area of a medical college in Tamil Nadu

Background: Tobacco usage and alcohol consumption is a serious health issue to the society for ages. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco usage leads to medical and societal issues. An assessment of the pattern of tobacco usage and alcohol consumption in adult population is important to estimate the burden, and the risk factors associated with the same on the rural communities. There is a strong impact on the prevalence of NCDs by reduction in the usage of tobacco and alcohol products in the forthcoming decades. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of a medical college, using pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire amongst 275 study participants a rural area. The adults aged 18 years and above who were currently using tobacco products and consuming alcohol were selected by simple random sampling using the tobacco assessment and AUDIT questionnaire for alcohol consumption. Results: The results showed a significant association between all the socio-demographic variables (except for gender) in the usage of tobacco products; the study found higher literacy levels in using the products more frequently. The age distribution, family arrangement and socio-economic status were associated with alcohol consumption as well. In the multivariate regression the socio-economic class were associated with alcohol consumption. Conclusions: The interventions should be targeted at the family and community level. There is a need for health education programs and de-addiction camps.