Factors influencing a long-term relationship between healthcare providers and patients – perspectives of patients at a public regional hospital, Ghana

Augustine Adomah-Afari, Doris Doris Darkoa Mantey, Kwasi Awuah-Werekoh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that influence patients’ long-term relationship with healthcare providers in healthcare delivery at hospitals. Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered using 170 patients in a cross-sectional survey with quantitative research methods at a public regional hospital. Results were obtained using descriptive analysis and regression analysis. Findings: Generally, the study found that the health-related factors (the reception of staff, providers’ attitude, waiting time, competence and expertise and the hospital environment) that influence patients’ long-term relationship with the healthcare providers/hospital were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The findings showed that overall 90.0 per cent of the patients were very satisfied with the overall healthcare services at the hospital. Research limitations/implications: Limited sample size, lack of examination of healthcare providers’ perspectives and non-application of qualitative methods make it difficult to give a true picture of how these can enhance patients’ intent to keep a long-term relationship with the healthcare providers/hospital. Practical implications: The paper suggests that health policymakers and practitioners need to enhance measures that will make patients satisfied leading to their long-term commitment and cordial relationship with the healthcare providers/hospital. Social implications: The study demonstrated how health-related factors will be associated with the patients’ agreement/intent to keep a long-term relationship with their service providers at hospitals. Thus, the overall hypothesis was true that there is a relationship between patients’ satisfaction with the healthcare experienced and their long-term relationship with healthcare providers/hospital. Originality/value: This is one of the few studies conducted on the topic in the context of Ghana’s health sector. It recommends that there should be a good interpersonal relationship between healthcare providers and patients, as patients’ satisfaction is not based on only receiving treatment at the health facility.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)364-386
Number of pages23
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Aug 2019

Keywords

  • Health care
  • Long-term relationship
  • Patient satisfaction
  • Public hospitals
  • Quality of care

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Factors influencing a long-term relationship between healthcare providers and patients – perspectives of patients at a public regional hospital, Ghana'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this