Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India

Introduction: The study of patient satisfaction at the primary care level has been mostly neglected in India. Aim: This objective of this study was to assess indices of Patient Satisfaction at the level of the family physician which is usually the first point of contact between the patient and the h...

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Main Authors: Rashmi Ardey, Rajeev Ardey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=53;epage=63;aulast=Ardey
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author Rashmi Ardey
Rajeev Ardey
author_facet Rashmi Ardey
Rajeev Ardey
author_sort Rashmi Ardey
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The study of patient satisfaction at the primary care level has been mostly neglected in India. Aim: This objective of this study was to assess indices of Patient Satisfaction at the level of the family physician which is usually the first point of contact between the patient and the health-care system. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at a Private Primary Health-Care Center in a semirural area in New Delhi, by exit interviews in the form of a questionnaire from patients randomly selected from people visiting the center during the study period. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the data collected. Results: The findings revealed that 83.58% of the patients were satisfied with the general experience and the behavior of the health-care provider and 85.9% were satisfied with the treatment and care provided, only 65.5% were satisfied with the physical environment of the clinic. However, the percentage of patients who would recommend the facility to their friends was overwhelming (94.6%). Conclusion: These results show that private health-care providers are still the first choice for any form of medical care. However, there was definitely a gap between the increasing expectations of the patients for more information, better Patient-Provider interaction, more control over the treatment process and better amenities even at the Primary Care level. It is this gap, which needs to be fulfilled to facilitate better utilization of Primary Health-Care Services in the community and reduce pressure on tertiary care services in order to ensure Universal Health Coverage. This study would also help us understand the challenges for Primary Care service providers, private and public, in a low socioeconomic urban setting.
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spelling doaj.art-29251c96eba54f468d16235af0b4295a2022-12-22T00:42:04ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632015-01-0141536310.4103/2249-4863.152254Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in IndiaRashmi ArdeyRajeev ArdeyIntroduction: The study of patient satisfaction at the primary care level has been mostly neglected in India. Aim: This objective of this study was to assess indices of Patient Satisfaction at the level of the family physician which is usually the first point of contact between the patient and the health-care system. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at a Private Primary Health-Care Center in a semirural area in New Delhi, by exit interviews in the form of a questionnaire from patients randomly selected from people visiting the center during the study period. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the data collected. Results: The findings revealed that 83.58% of the patients were satisfied with the general experience and the behavior of the health-care provider and 85.9% were satisfied with the treatment and care provided, only 65.5% were satisfied with the physical environment of the clinic. However, the percentage of patients who would recommend the facility to their friends was overwhelming (94.6%). Conclusion: These results show that private health-care providers are still the first choice for any form of medical care. However, there was definitely a gap between the increasing expectations of the patients for more information, better Patient-Provider interaction, more control over the treatment process and better amenities even at the Primary Care level. It is this gap, which needs to be fulfilled to facilitate better utilization of Primary Health-Care Services in the community and reduce pressure on tertiary care services in order to ensure Universal Health Coverage. This study would also help us understand the challenges for Primary Care service providers, private and public, in a low socioeconomic urban setting.http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=53;epage=63;aulast=ArdeyFamily physicianspatient perceptionsprimary careprimary health care
spellingShingle Rashmi Ardey
Rajeev Ardey
Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Family physicians
patient perceptions
primary care
primary health care
title Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
title_full Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
title_fullStr Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
title_full_unstemmed Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
title_short Patient perceptions and expectations from primary health-care providers in India
title_sort patient perceptions and expectations from primary health care providers in india
topic Family physicians
patient perceptions
primary care
primary health care
url http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2015;volume=4;issue=1;spage=53;epage=63;aulast=Ardey
work_keys_str_mv AT rashmiardey patientperceptionsandexpectationsfromprimaryhealthcareprovidersinindia
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