Indices of patient satisfaction in an African population

Patient satisfaction as a vital component of health outcome remains an area of interest and need in health care. Some indices of patient satisfaction, viz adequacy of information and explanations given to patients as well as the attitudes of doctors and nurses, were evaluated in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2002 and September 2002. It involved a total of 250 patients (male = 101, female = 149, mean age = 36.2 years +/-19.7) drawn from all admission wards in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the authors. Data were analysed descriptively and analytically.

The results reveal a need for improved provision of information and explanations of procedures and investigations to patients. Doctors were found to have a significantly higher rating on friendliness compared with nurses.

It is recommended that effort should be made to provide adequate information and explanations to patients in the course of treatment, irrespective of the circumstances of admission.