Determinants on patient satisfaction to rural doctors：Structural equation analysis of Liupan-shui City, Guizhou Province / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the determinants that affect patient satisfaction to rural doctors. Methods:Based on survey data of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, structural equation modeling analysis was adopted, and the study was mainly from the following four aspectsthe image of rural doctors, service quality, quality of diagnosis and treatment, and harmonious doctor-patient relationships. Results: The study found that the quality of diagnosis and treatment had the greatest direct impact on rural patient satisfaction, followed by service quality, the image of ru-ral doctors and harmonious doctor-patient relationships;rural patient satisfaction has a significant impact on rural pa-tient loyalty. Conclusion:Rural patient satisfaction and loyalty to rural doctors is mainly based on kinship and geopo-litical relations;given the state of medical technology, the medical environment, medical equipment, service aware-ness and other restrictions, rural doctors cannot fulfill the “gatekeeper” role, and consequently, the primary health-care system has been severely affected.