Perceived quality of care in pregnancy assessment before and after delivery

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perceived quality of care in a group of pregnant women attended in a public Hospital.

Study design: All pregnant women seen at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona in 1996. Two study groups were defined: group A, women seen at the outpatient clinic as a regular follow-up visit for pregnancy, and group B, women seen at the outpatient clinic for follow-up after delivery. A satisfaction questionnaire survey was used in a random sample of both groups of women.

Results: Total number of interviews performed was 174. Both groups, A and B were comparable. Scores recorded in both groups were significantly different (P<0.01) for the clinical follow-up and privacy variables (regarded as better than expected). The difference in scores for the information supplied was also statistically significant (P<0.01), but regarded as worst than expected.

Conclusions: The analysis of satisfaction does not seem to follow a linear, straightforward explanation. The differences seen strongly suggest the need of patient's satisfaction surveys to be specific by dimension and tailored to patients' expectations.