The association between waiting time and patient satisfaction in outpatient clinics: Findings from a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Patient satisfaction Saudi Arabia waiting time

Journal

Journal of family & community medicine
ISSN: 1319-1683
Titre abrégé: J Family Community Med
Pays: India
ID NLM: 100911100

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Historique:
entrez: 31 1 2019
pubmed: 31 1 2019
medline: 31 1 2019
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Patient satisfaction is an important indicator for assessing the quality of health care because it affects the timely, efficient, and patient-centered delivery of quality health care, and patient satisfaction is associated with the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at family medicine and other specialized clinics. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to patients seen at the outpatient clinics. Variables collected were sociodemographic information and patient satisfaction scores to evaluate the association between waiting time and satisfaction. A total of 406 patients participated in the study. Half of the patients reported being satisfied with the waiting time, while the remaining were dissatisfied (mean satisfaction score 38.4 ± 6.63). Family medicine clinic scored better in waiting time than other specialized clinics; between arrival and registration ( Overall satisfaction was lower than shown in previous literature. Gender and clinic type were significantly associated with satisfaction score; those who attended the family medicine clinics were more satisfied than those attending other specialized clinics. Findings may be used to inform researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers' decisions on quality improvement programs.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
Patient satisfaction is an important indicator for assessing the quality of health care because it affects the timely, efficient, and patient-centered delivery of quality health care, and patient satisfaction is associated with the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted at family medicine and other specialized clinics. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to patients seen at the outpatient clinics. Variables collected were sociodemographic information and patient satisfaction scores to evaluate the association between waiting time and satisfaction.
RESULTS RESULTS
A total of 406 patients participated in the study. Half of the patients reported being satisfied with the waiting time, while the remaining were dissatisfied (mean satisfaction score 38.4 ± 6.63). Family medicine clinic scored better in waiting time than other specialized clinics; between arrival and registration (
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
Overall satisfaction was lower than shown in previous literature. Gender and clinic type were significantly associated with satisfaction score; those who attended the family medicine clinics were more satisfied than those attending other specialized clinics. Findings may be used to inform researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers' decisions on quality improvement programs.

Identifiants

pubmed: 30697100
doi: 10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_14_18
pii: JFCM-26-17
pmc: PMC6335837
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

17-22

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Auteurs

Rasmah S Al-Harajin (RS)

Department of Family Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard Health Affairs, Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sara A Al-Subaie (SA)

Department of Family Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard Health Affairs, Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ahmed G Elzubair (AG)

Division of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, King Abdulaziz Hospital, National Guard Health Authority, Eastern Region, Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Classifications MeSH