ABSTRACT
Background: In the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era, healthcare delivery toward patient-centered orientation has gone a paradigm shift. High levels of adherence to treatment and recommended prevention are usually the outcome of perceived patient satisfaction. Aims: The present study aimed to assess patient satisfaction levels in the COVID-19 era and explore its determinants. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study from outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Jammu, UT of J&K, India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in the Jammu district. A total of 220 patients were interviewed using consecutive sampling. The tool used to assess patient satisfaction was the patient satisfaction questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18). Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Tests of significance used were ANOVA and t-test. Results: The overall mean satisfaction score was found to be 2.91 ± 0.17 and it was highest in the communication domain (3.12 ± 1.50), whereas it was lowest in the accessibility and convenience domain (2.73 ± 1.17). Except for religion, which was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) with overall mean satisfaction score, other sociodemographic variables (occupation, marital status, and monthly family income) were found to be statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Out of the seven subscales of patient satisfaction, results revealed high scores for communication and financial aspects. Only religion as a demographic variable was found to be significantly associated with patient satisfaction scores. There is a need to improvise the healthcare services in this COVID-19 era in such a manner so that we can contribute to better patient trust leading to a positive influence on health outcomes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19, since its emergence, has become a global health problem with countries adopting unprecedented measures to control the spread of this pandemic. Adherence of the populations to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards the disease. It was with this aim that the present study was conducted among the residents of UT of J&K to assess their KAP toward COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional online survey of 464 J&K residents was conducted between 1st May and 10th May 2020. Survey Monkey tool was used to develop a link and KAP questionnaire was used for data collection. The survey instrument consisted of demographic characteristics, 11 items on knowledge, 5 items on attitudes, and 7 items on practices. Data collected was represented in descriptive statistics, and one-way analysis of variance was the test of significance. RESULTS: Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7.69 ± 0.74, 4.70 ± 0.57, and 4.32 ± 0.68, respectively, among the respondents. Majority (99%) knew the sign and symptoms, mode of transmission of the disease and avoided attending large gatherings. Use of mask was almost universal and about 38% were taking supplements like vitamins or herbal medicines. Good knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practices among the respondents about COVID-19 suggest that community based health education programs play a key role in containment and mitigation of this disease. CONCLUSION: Sustained messaging and updates from the national and local health authorities on COVID-19 to the public are likely to help control the transmission of the disease.