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Observational Study
. 2022 Sep;56(3):215-220.
doi: 10.4314/gmj.v56i3.12.

Outpatients' satisfaction with healthcare services received at a district hospital in Botswana

Zibo K Khuwa  1 , Sogo F Matlala  1 , Thembelihle S Ntuli  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Outpatients' satisfaction with healthcare services received at a district hospital in Botswana

Zibo K Khuwa et al. Ghana Med J. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate patient satisfaction regarding healthcare services at a district hospital. The research question was: what is the level of patient satisfaction regarding service delivery?

Design: An observational cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in September 2019.

Settings: A district hospital in Botswana serving a population of 90 000. Outpatients from the Eye clinic, Casualty and Outpatient Department, Sexual Reproductive Health clinic and Infectious Diseases Control Centre were selected for the study.

Participants: 240 stable outpatients over 17 years selected through consecutive sampling participated voluntarily after giving informed consent.

Main outcome measures: The level of satisfaction was measured using 19 questions on five-point Likert scales ranging from strongly disagree 1, disagree 2, unsure 3, agree 4 to strongly agree 5. A binary outcome was created into satisfied and unsatisfied using the mean score as the cut-off point. Age, gender, employment, education and departments were independent variables.

Results: 65% (95% CI: 58-71%) were satisfied but unsatisfied with: doctor's politeness (66.9%; 95% CI: 60-73%), explaining (67.8%; 95% CI: 61-73%), privacy (65.6%; 95% CI: 59-72%), skills (67.4%; 95% CI: 61-73%), confidence (67.4% 95% CI: 61-73%), compassion (66.5%; 95% CI: 60-72%) and waiting time (49.2%; 95% CI: 42-57%). Department visited predicted satisfaction (p=0.002); those from the Eye clinic and Sexual Reproductive Health clinic were satisfied compared to others.

Conclusion: Satisfaction was generally high but lower regarding specified services and departments visited. There is a need for targeted interventions. Studies are needed to explore reasons for lower satisfaction in Casualty, Outpatient Department and Infectious Diseases Control Centre.

Funding: None declared.

Keywords: District hospital; healthcare professionals; patient satisfaction; quality healthcare services.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared

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