Quality of primary care from patients' perspective: a cross sectional study of outpatients' experience in public health facilities in rural Malawi.
BMC Health Serv Res
; 18(1): 872, 2018 Nov 20.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30458765
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Assessing patients' experience with primary care complements measures of clinical health outcomes in evaluating service performance. Measuring patients' experience and satisfaction are among Malawi's health sector strategic goals. The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' experience with primary care and to identify associated patients' sociodemographic, healthcare and health characteristics.METHODS:
This was a cross sectional survey using questionnaires administered in public primary care facilities in Neno district, Malawi. Data on patients' primary care experience and their sociodemographic, healthcare and health characteristics were collected through face to face interviews using a validated Malawian version of the primary care assessment tool (PCAT-Mw). Mean scores were derived for the following dimensions first contact access, continuity of care, comprehensiveness, community orientation and total primary care. Linear regression models were used to assess association between primary care dimension scores and patients' characteristics.RESULTS:
From 631 completed questionnaires, first contact access, relational continuity and comprehensiveness of services available scored below the defined minimum. Sex, geographical location, self-rated health status, duration of contact with facility and facility affiliation were associated with patients' experience with primary care. These factors explained 10.9% of the variance in total primary care scores; 25.2% in comprehensiveness of services available and 29.4% in first contact access.CONCLUSION:
This paper presents results from the first use of the validated PCAT-Mw. The study provides a baseline indicating areas that need improvement. The results can also be used alongside clinical outcome studies to provide comprehensive evaluation of primary care performance in Malawi.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Atención Primaria de Salud
/
Instituciones de Salud
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Health Serv Res
Asunto de la revista:
PESQUISA EM SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Noruega