Cross-Sectional Study of Clients’ Satisfaction With Outpatient and Inpatient Services of Public Health Facilities of a North Indian State

Satisfaction with health care services is a desired outcome of health care delivery. Nonetheless, there is scant information on client satisfaction with services provided in public health facilities in India. A cross-sectional study of persons attending public health facilities in Punjab, North India, was carried out in 2016. All district hospitals, subdistrict hospitals, 2 community health centres (CHCs), and 6 primary health centres (PHCs) were randomly selected from each of the 22 districts. A 60-item pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Participants (3278 outpatient department [OPD] and 1614 inpatient department [IPD]) visiting health care facilities were interviewed. Majority of OPD participants were satisfied with registration process, care providers, and personal issues like safety and security at the health facilities. Major domains of dissatisfaction were long waiting time and concern shown for patients during lab tests and x-rays. Most IPD participants were satisfied with care received from nurses and doctors, availability of medicines, and hospital environment. Domains of dissatisfaction were cleanliness of rooms and bathrooms and quietness at night. Varying levels of satisfaction were observed for experiences during stay, information about new medicine being given, pain control, and locomotion to bathroom or using bedpan. Around 71% were likely to recommend the health facility to others. Satisfaction with public health facilities is context dependent. Lack of drugs and supplies, poor information about medicines, long waiting time, poor cleanliness, lack of privacy, and peace were the major reasons for dissatisfaction in our study.