Patient satisfaction with quality of care at out-patient departments in selected health facilities in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Owusu Abigail Anima , Boakye Kingsley , Boateng Daniel , Osei-Mensah Christa , Agyei-Baffour Peter 
Published: September 2024

Background

Health care is an indispensable element for economic growth and development of individuals and nations. Healthcare service quality is associated with patient satisfaction, ensuring the safety and security of patients, reducing mortality and morbidity, and improving the quality of life. Patient satisfaction with health service is linked to increased utilization following contendness with healthcare received from health providers. There is an increasing public perception of poor quality of care among patients visiting public health facilities in Ghana which translates into service dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, patient dissatisfaction will more likely result in poor utilization, disregard for medical advice, and treatment non-adherence. The study was conducted to assess patients’ satisfaction with quality of care at the outpatient departments of selected health facilities in Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods

An institutional-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among patients (aged ≥ 18 years) visiting outpatient departments of selected health facilities in Kumasi from October - December, 2019. A systematic sampling technique was adopted to collect quantitative information from 385 respondents using a structured questionnaire. At 95% confidence interval and 5% alpha level, two-level logistic regression models were performed. Model I estimated the crude associations and the effect of covariates was accounted for in Model II. The results were presented in odds ratio with a corresponding 95% confidence interval. All analysis were performed using STATA statistical software version 16.0.

Results

Out of the 385 participants, 90.9% of the participants were satisfied with the services they received. Being married [AOR = 3.06, 95%CI = 1.07–8.74], agreeing that the facility is disability-friendly [AOR = 7.93, 95%CI = 2.07–14.43], facility has directional signs for navigation [AOR = 3.12, 95%=1.92–10.59] and the facility has comfortable and attractive waiting area [AOR = 10.02, 95%CI = 2.35–22.63] were associated with satisfaction with health service among patients. Spending more than 2 h at the health facility [AOR = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.04–0.93] and having perceived rude and irritating provider [AOR = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.04–0.51] had lower odds of satisfaction with health service received.

Conclusion

There is a high patient satisfaction with services received at out-patient departments which is influenced by a multiplicity of factors; being married, and agreeing that the facility is disability-friendly, has directional signs for navigation, and the waiting area is comfortable and attractive. The study findings call for the need to develop and implement health delivery interventions and strategies (i.e. patient-centered interventions, disability-friendly facilities, and sustainability and improvement of quality service) to improve and sustain patient satisfaction levels with health care service. These strategies must be directed towards addressing inequalities in infrastructural development and inputs needed for healthcare delivery in the health system.