ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON OF PATIENT’S SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES IN GYNAE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare patient’s satisfaction with quality of antenatal care services in gynae outpatient department of government (public sector) and private hospitals (PH). METHODS: Study was conducted by randomly selecting 300 patients; 150 patients each from government hospitals (GH) and PH of Lahore, Pakistan, from July 2016-September 2016. A preformed “data-collection- form” was filled during interviews. RESULTS: In our study, 107 (71.3%) patients of PH and only 29 (19.3%) patients of GH had started their antenatal care before the 3rd month pregnancy. Satisfaction with the behavior of doctors and paramedic staff was 73.3% (n=110) 93.3% (n=140) respectively in patients going to PH as compared to 6.7% (n=10) 86.6% (n=130) in patients attending GH, respectively. Care providers/doctors were good listener to the patient’s questions in 68.6% (n=103) of PH and 15(10%) of GH. In PH, 140 (93.33%) patients and in GH, 130 (86.67%) patients were satisfied with the time given to patient-care by healthcare provider. Family planning services were provided to 40% patients of GH and 11.3% patients of PH. In GH, majority (73.3%) of patients was followed up at one month and in PH majority (54.6%) was followed up within a week. More than three sonographs were prescribed to 33.3% patients in PH and 10% patients in GH. CONCLUSION: Patients are more satisfied in PH because of the overall antenatal facilities, dealing of paramedical and medical staff. In GH less cleanliness, more waiting time and unsatisfactory behavior of healthcare providers makes them less satisfied for patients.