out-patients medical sector in eastern Saudi Arabia a comparison of performance

ABSTRACT

There is a steady government-encouraged growth in both the public and private sector of health care delivery in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. However, the possible negative impact of the private sector on governmental Primary Health Care [PHC] programmes remain to be examined. This is a cross sectional study of randomly selected Saudi Outpatient using a checklist. Variables studied were; type of records, patients' presenting symptoms and frequency of visits; chart contents, as well as patients waiting time and time spent with physicians. A total of 360 records were reviewed. Patients visited PHC centres more frequently, waited longer, spent shorter time with physicians. However, private practitioners ordered more tests and prescribed more drugs. Both sectors were broadly comparable in terms of documenting patient's biodata, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up plan. The private sector performed better in terms of "history and physical". In conclusion, it was found that there is no evidence to support the general claim that the private sector is more proficient than governmental PHC centres and the overall performance of both sectors was not satisfactory