ABSTRACT

Background: There are various problems faced by the patients in the outpatient department like overcrowding, delay in consultation and lack of proper guidance. Now a day the patients are looking for hassle free and quick services. This is only possible with optimum utility of resources through multitasking in a single window system in the outpatient department for better services. Patient satisfaction affects clinical outcomes, patient retention and medical malpractice, efficient and patient centered delivery of quality of health care. Thus, patient satisfaction is proxy but very effective indicators to measure the success of health outcome and plays a key role in improving the health service quality. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of patient satisfaction in outpatient department in Dangila Primary Hospital, Awi zone, Northwest Ethiopia, April 2018.

Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from April 01- August 31/ 2018. A total of 304 respondents were selected by using systematic random sampling methods. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. EPI Data version 3.1 and SPSS version 20 was used for data entry and analysis respectively. Multiple logistic regression was done to describe the associated factors and control the potential confounders.

Result: From 304 participants, 175 (57.6%) and 129 (42.4%) were males and females respectively. About 100 (32.9%) were in the age range of 30-39 years. Nearly quarter of the respondents 233(76.6%) were dissatisfied with the queue process to see a doctor. This study revealed that the levels of patient satisfaction in outpatient department was 48.2%.

Conclusion: The magnitude of patient satisfaction in outpatient department in Danigila primary hospital was half of the regional target. The waiting time of patients at outpatient department to get the health service by doctors was less than one hour.