|
African Population Studies
Union for African Population Studies
ISSN: 0850-5780
Vol. 34, No. 1, 2020, pp. 5115-5131
|
Bioline Code: ep20004
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
African Population Studies, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2020, pp. 5115-5131
en |
Evaluation of Doctor-patient communication outcomes in two public hospitals in Enugu and Ebonyi States, Nigeria
Ukonu, Michael O.; Nwachukwu, Chidiebere A. & Mgboji, Olanrewaju A.
Abstract
Background: Patient-doctor communication is a critical success factor in ensuring accurate diagnosis
and treatment. A patient’s satisfaction with such interaction can have positive impact on health
outcomes. This study evaluated patient-doctor communication in two teriary hospitals in two states in
southeast Nigeria.
Data Source & Methods: Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from 300 patients in
two teaching hospitals. Data were analysed using simple percentages, chi-square test of independence,
binary logistic regression and factor analysis.
Results: Results indicated low level of satisfaction of patients with the quality of communication with
their doctors, the main contributor to their dissatisfaction being ‘doctors’ authoritarian communication style’. Factors that positively predicted patients’ satisfaction were ‘doctors’ communication skills’
(p=.000), ‘patients’ religious, cultural and language anxiety influence on communication’ (p=.000), and
‘democratic communication’ (p=.009). Doctors adopted the paternalistic approach in interacting with
patients.
Conclusion: Patients reported low level of satisfaction with their doctors’ communicative behaviour.
This would necessitate a shift from the paternalistic to the patient-centred communication approach in
the two hospitals.
Keywords
Communication; patient satisfaction; health outcomes; hospitals; doctors
|
|
© Copyright 2020 - African Population Studies Alternative site location: http://www.uaps-uepa.org
|
|