Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study
Background: Healthcare quality, a critical component of healthcare services, is a demanding product of the joint efforts of the healthcare stakeholders; yet, the quality of health care is often lower than expected. It has been reported that patients who feel empowered play an important role in the q...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139121000019 |
| _version_ | 1819139682013806592 |
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| author | Wudma Alemu Eshetu Girma Tefera Mulugeta |
| author_facet | Wudma Alemu Eshetu Girma Tefera Mulugeta |
| author_sort | Wudma Alemu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Healthcare quality, a critical component of healthcare services, is a demanding product of the joint efforts of the healthcare stakeholders; yet, the quality of health care is often lower than expected. It has been reported that patients who feel empowered play an important role in the quality of care delivery. In Ethiopia, no study has examined healthcare quality from the patient’s perspective. In this study, we explored whether or not patients were aware of healthcare quality, as well as their role in improving the quality of care. Method: This descriptive, exploratory study included in-depth interviews with 12 inpatients using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants were recruited from the inpatient units of a large referral hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using purposive sampling with maximum variation. Field notes were collected and interviews were audio-recorded. Data were coded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed thematically using OpenCode. Results: All participants were aware of problems with healthcare quality and occurrence of medical errors. Most participants rated healthcare quality as poor or marginally good. Participants did not know their role in the pursuit of healthcare quality; most assumed a passive role in care delivery. Conclusion: Overall, study participants were not satisfied with the quality of their care during hospitalization. Patient satisfaction can be improved through patient empowerment and engagement in the care delivery process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T11:26:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5364e254fa7a4b13a9f5f807f10cc654 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-1391 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T11:26:32Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-5364e254fa7a4b13a9f5f807f10cc6542022-12-21T18:27:45ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences2214-13912021-01-0114100278Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory studyWudma Alemu0Eshetu Girma1Tefera Mulugeta2Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 4412, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding author at: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of health sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 4412, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Post Graduate Unit, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 378, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 4412, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackground: Healthcare quality, a critical component of healthcare services, is a demanding product of the joint efforts of the healthcare stakeholders; yet, the quality of health care is often lower than expected. It has been reported that patients who feel empowered play an important role in the quality of care delivery. In Ethiopia, no study has examined healthcare quality from the patient’s perspective. In this study, we explored whether or not patients were aware of healthcare quality, as well as their role in improving the quality of care. Method: This descriptive, exploratory study included in-depth interviews with 12 inpatients using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants were recruited from the inpatient units of a large referral hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using purposive sampling with maximum variation. Field notes were collected and interviews were audio-recorded. Data were coded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed thematically using OpenCode. Results: All participants were aware of problems with healthcare quality and occurrence of medical errors. Most participants rated healthcare quality as poor or marginally good. Participants did not know their role in the pursuit of healthcare quality; most assumed a passive role in care delivery. Conclusion: Overall, study participants were not satisfied with the quality of their care during hospitalization. Patient satisfaction can be improved through patient empowerment and engagement in the care delivery process.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139121000019HospitalPatientsQualityEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Wudma Alemu Eshetu Girma Tefera Mulugeta Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Hospital Patients Quality Ethiopia |
| title | Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study |
| title_full | Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study |
| title_fullStr | Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study |
| title_short | Patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality: A qualitative, exploratory study |
| title_sort | patient awareness and role in attaining healthcare quality a qualitative exploratory study |
| topic | Hospital Patients Quality Ethiopia |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139121000019 |
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