A multidimensional study of public satisfaction with the healthcare system: a mixed-method inquiry in Ghana

BMC Health Services Research

Ebenezer Owusu-Addo¹  Kingsley Atta Nyamekye²  Padmore Adusei Amoah³ 

[1] Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana;Department of Planning and Sustainability- School of Geo-Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana;School of Graduate Studies, Institute of Policy Studies, Department of Applied Psychology, Lingnan University, 8 Castle Peak Rd., Tuen Mun, Hong Kong (SAR), China;

关键词: Public satisfaction;    Healthcare system;    Social ecology;    Social capital;    Ghana;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-021-07288-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMany governments in sub-Saharan Africa have recently sought to improve their health systems by increasing investment in healthcare facilities and introducing social insurance programmes. However, little is known about the impact of these intended improvements on public perceptions about the healthcare systems. This article examines whether and why people of different socioeconomic and ideological backgrounds are satisfied (or not) with the current healthcare system in Ghana from a social ecological perspective.MethodData were elicited from a cross-sectional mixed-method study conducted in four regions in Ghana in 2018. We used ordinal logistic regression and thematic analysis techniques to analyse the data.ResultsSatisfaction with the healthcare system was generally low. From our quantitative study, intrapersonal factors (e.g., being older and having good health and well-being status); interpersonal factors (e.g., linking social capital); community factors (e.g., living in rural areas); and organisational and public policy factors (e.g., trust in the health system, favouring welfare policies, and being interested in politics) were positively associated with satisfaction with the healthcare system. These were corroborated by the qualitative study, which showed that poor attitudes of health personnel, financial constraints, perceived poor health facilities, and perceived inefficacy of services contribute to dissatisfaction with the healthcare system.ConclusionStrategies to improve satisfaction with the healthcare system in Ghana should incorporate ecological perspectives by considering factors such as demographic profile, health needs, political orientation, issues of trust in the healthcare system, and the dynamics and impact of social relationships of populations concerned.

【 授权许可】

CC BY