A Comparison Study using Mixed Methods on Foreign Residents' Satisfaction with Korean Health Care Services

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine and compare satisfaction with Korean health care services for Americans, Chinese and Russians who resided in Korea. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 252 participants (81 Americans, 89 Chinese, 82 Russians). Three focus group interviews were subsequently conducted in order to obtain a greater understanding of participants' experience and perspectives. Results: The average satisfaction score was 3.09, with Americans and Russians showing significantly higher scores than Chinese. Overall, participants reported higher satisfaction in 'Facility', 'Quality of care' and 'Nursing services' as opposed to 'Information/education'. 'Care with cultural respect' as well as communication related services. Data from the focus group interviews were categorized into 12 sub-categories, 7 categories and 2 themes. The two themes were common experience and contrasting experience. Common experience included 4 categories, 'Quality of care', 'Hospital facility and health care system', 'Language barrier' and 'Information and education'. Contrasting experience included 3 categories, 'Medical cost', 'Health care personnel' and 'Accessibility'. Conclusion: Results of this study provide basic knowledge on foreign residents' satisfaction and experience with Korean health care services. Further research is needed with foreigners from different cultural backgrounds. Administrative and educational efforts are required to improve communication skills and cultural competency.

The Effects of Korean Medical Service Quality and Satisfaction on Revisit Intention of the United Arab Emirates Government Sponsored Patients

“…According to the measurement made using the same tool by the Korean Health Industry Development Institute [13], the overall satisfaction rate of foreign patients in Korea was 88.3, with 91.6 for Russia, 90.5 for the Middle East, 89.1 for the US, 88.2 for Southeast Asia, 88.0 for Mongolia, 85.3 for China and 80.4 for Japan. In the study by Kim and colleagues [21] which surveyed the satisfaction of American, Chinese and Russian patients living in Korea, Russia was 78.0, USA was 79.3 and China was 74.8. Compared to previous research results, the UAE government sponsored patients' satisfaction with Korean medical services was high, but in order to increase the attractiveness of Korean hospitals, continuous efforts are still needed to increase the satisfaction rate of medical services.…”

Structural Equation Modeling of Cultural Competence of Nurses Caring for Foreign Patients

“…Hospitals are opening foreign patients' clinics within their institutions, developing dietary menus for inpatients, and employing medical tour coordinators and professional interpreters to accommodate the care of foreign patients [3]. Foreign patients reported satisfaction with the quality of care and nursing services provided in Korea; however, dissatisfaction with communication, patient education, culturally respectful services, and discriminatory attitude toward patients from Asian ethnic groups were also reported [4].…”

A study abroad program for Korean nursing students in the San Francisco Bay Area: A SWOT analysis

“…[3,4] The insufficient competency of health care providers in transcultural care is directly related to low patient satisfaction and negative health outcomes. [5] This may stem from miscommunication with patients or misunderstanding the common health problems of culturally diverse patients. Recent research has found that the quality of communication between physicians and patients can be hindered by miscommunication that arises from differences in perspectives, values, and beliefs about health and illness.…”