Patient Satisfaction: A Comparison between Governmental and Private Out Patient Clinics in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify and compare the factors that contribute to patient satisfaction towards the medical care services between governmental and private healthcare clinics. Methods:A self-administrated (Arabic/English) questionnaire was used to conduct the all participants. Participants were selected using convenience sampling for both the governmental and private clinics.Results: Participated were 141 patients from the government clinics and 215 patients from private clinics. 75% of the patients were Saudi, 49.1% were male patients. Opinion about level of care provided was significantly higher in AL-Ameen Hospital outpatient clinic (AHOC) (77%) than Taif University outpatient clinic (TUOC) (59%), the physician explain way of taking medication was (42%) in TUOC compared to (55%) in AHOC. Waiting time >30 Min was (7.09%) in TUOC while it was (30.70%) in AHOC. The time spent during examination >30 Min was (3.55%) in TUOC while it was (7.91%) in AHOC. Satisfaction about working hours was significantly less in TUOC (29%) compared to (44%) in AHOC. Conclusion:Although patients at the AHOC were more satisfied than those at TUOC with the health care they received, eight of the predictors of patient satisfaction in this study were common to both settings.

The Association Between Wait Times and Patient Satisfaction: Findings From Primary Health Centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…26 The present study has been conducted in the selected primary health centers; however, there are studies which were conducted earlier to compare the satisfaction among patients in public and private hospitals. 27,28 The current study point out there is a negative impact of longer wait time on satisfaction of patients which is also acknowledged by the Institute of Medicine which recommends that the 90% of the patients should be attended within 30 minutes of their scheduled appointments. 29,30 The findings of the present study showed a statistical significance between the educational qualification and the level of significance at the health-care centers.…”

Policy Discourses: Shifting the Burden of Healthcare from the State to the Market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…23,63,64 A study in Taif found that 77% of patients who sought treatment at private healthcare facilities were satisfied with the level of care, whereas it was only 59% in the public sector. 65 The private sector in Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a range of activities related to the direct provision of healthcare services, administration and management of healthcare facilities, manufacturing of healthcare products, and financing of the healthcare systems. 66 These are carried out by various non-state actors; including national and multinational companies, non-governmental organizations, non-profit entities, and private individuals working as general practitioners and consultants in the provision of healthcare services.…”

Policy Discourse: Shifting the burden of healthcare from state to market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Increased use of private healthcare facilities is linked to consumer dissatisfaction, various constraints and poor management practice with the public sector [18,56,57]. A study in Taif found that 77% of patients who sought treatment at private healthcare facilities were satis ed with the level of care, whereas it was only 59% in the public sector [58]. The private sector in Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a range of activities related to direct provision of healthcare services, administration and management of healthcare facilities, manufacturing of healthcare products and nancing of the healthcare systems [59].…”