Neptune Cornelius, Edwards Alicia, Taylor Marson, Dixon Britony
Community Health, University of the West Indies Mona, Kingston, JAM.
Community and Family Medicine, University of the West Indies Mona, Kingston, JAM.
Cureus. 2024 Nov 11;16(11):e73423. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73423. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Objective This study aims to assess the quality of healthcare services at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), a quasi-public hospital, compared to public hospitals in Jamaica, examining both patient and clinician perceptions. Methods This cross-sectional study included one hundred patients (30 males, 70 females) aged 22 to 95, and 52 clinicians (29 females, 23 males) from 10 hospitals, comprising UHWI and nine public hospitals, were surveyed. Quality assessment encompassed structural adequacy, time management, privacy protection, competency, and healthcare standards. Data collection occurred through both interview-administered and self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was then done using the chi-square test. Results Clinicians at UHWI perceived structural adequacy differently than public hospitals, with 63% (n=10) agreeing on cubicle space sufficiency at UHWI versus disagreement among public hospital clinicians. Consultation times were varied, with longer durations reported at UHWI. Privacy concerns were more pronounced among UHWI patients. Overall, patient satisfaction was higher at public hospitals (n=56.80%) compared to UHWI (n=15.50%). Conclusion The study compared healthcare quality and patient satisfaction between quasi-public and public hospitals in Jamaica. Contrary to expectations, healthcare quality was the same between the two types of hospitals. Patients at public hospitals reported higher satisfaction levels, challenging the assumption that paying for services correlates with higher satisfaction. The study underscores the complexity of assessing healthcare quality. It suggests that investments in resources and service delivery are needed across all hospitals to improve patient experiences and outcomes in Jamaica.
目的 本研究旨在评估西印度群岛大学医院（UHWI）这一准公立医院与牙买加公立医院相比的医疗服务质量，同时考察患者和临床医生的看法。方法 这项横断面研究纳入了100名年龄在22至95岁之间的患者（30名男性，70名女性），并对来自包括UHWI和9家公立医院在内的10家医院的52名临床医生（29名女性，23名男性）进行了调查。质量评估包括结构合理性、时间管理、隐私保护、能力水平和医疗标准。通过访谈式问卷和自填式问卷进行数据收集。然后使用卡方检验进行统计分析。结果 UHWI的临床医生对结构合理性的看法与公立医院不同，63%（n = 10）的UHWI临床医生认为诊室空间充足，而公立医院的临床医生则存在不同意见。会诊时间各不相同，UHWI的会诊时间更长。UHWI的患者对隐私问题更为关注。总体而言，公立医院的患者满意度（n = 56.80%）高于UHWI（n = 15.50%）。结论 该研究比较了牙买加准公立医院和公立医院的医疗质量及患者满意度。与预期相反，两类医院的医疗质量相同。公立医院的患者报告的满意度更高，这对付费服务与更高满意度相关的假设提出了挑战。该研究强调了评估医疗质量的复杂性。这表明牙买加所有医院都需要在资源和服务提供方面进行投资，以改善患者体验和治疗结果。
