Abstract

 

This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the annual average physician contacts number of people living in central Malatya with influencing factors and also to determine the patients’ satisfaction who were hospitalized during last year. Stratified cluster sampling was used according to the socioeconomic status of the localities and 1962 individuals were administered a face to face questionnaire during October-November 1998.

Annual average physician contact number was three. The main influencing factor related to contact with physician is the presence of a chronic disease. Within the last 15 days, only three percent of applicants had contacted with the physicians who work outside Malatya. The most applied health institution was SSK Hospital (33.2 %) followed by private physicians (20.3 %) and Malatya State Hospital (16.5%). Median waiting time to see the physician was 52 minutes and 50.0% of the applicants thought that this duration is too long. Median examination time was five minutes and 43.0% of applicants believe that examination time was not sufficient.

4.4% of the participitants were hospitalized during last year. 15.0% of the hospitalized patients were hospitilized in cities outside Malatya. Main complaints against hospitals are, patients’ being asked to bring drug and other supply outside hospital, and high costs, meals and cleanliness.

To increase the utilization of health services, a better organization of health institutions and taking patient satisfaction into consideration could be suggested.

Key words: Physician Contact Number, Patient Satisfaction, Hospitals.