Moustafa Abdel-Wahab
Objective: Primary health care involves a sustained partnership between patients and providers that addresses the patient's health needs over time. The degree of patients' satisfaction is one among the mechanisms used in assessing the quality of health care services. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine patients' satisfaction regarding the quality of medical care at the Taif University Outpatient Clinic.
Methods: An analytical observational study cross sectional was conducted at the Taif University Outpatient Clinic. A random sampling technique was employed over a five month period; February 1st to June 31st 2013. A self administered (Arabic/English) questionnaire was used.
Results: As regard patient-physician interaction, the average percent mean score for satisfaction (7 items) was (84.14 ± 7.97%) with the medication side effect explanation is the least one (68%), while, the overall patients' satisfaction with administrative efficiency and clinic setup environment (5 items) was 89.4 ± 5.64 % with opinion about care provision got least satisfaction (83%).
Conclusion: The majority of patients were satisfied with the patient-physician interaction, technical competency, administrative efficiency and clinic set up an environment at the Taif University Outpatient Clinics.
Recommendations: Continuous evaluation of patient satisfaction is to be part and parcel of the general health care delivery by Outpatient clinics of Taif University to ensure patient satisfaction.