Why
Patients Choose Private Hospitals and Private Clinics in Uganda
The demand of health services in
private hospitals and clinics is increasing because of the certain amenities
and facilities that are provided by these institutions. Patients can choose a hospital according to what matters most to them,
whether it’s location, cost consideration, infrastructure availability,
suggestion from friends, referred by doctors, etc. It
is well known that even the abjectly poor in Uganda show marked preferences for
private services compared to public offerings. Past research has attributed
these preferences to a lack of public provider accountability, which can be
observed in terms of provider attitude. As such with the rapidexpansion of
population and shortages of healthcare facilities in governments’ hospitals, private
hospitals in the society have been playing a vital role.
One of the main objectives of hospital is to provide
adequate care and treatment of its patients. Its principal product is medical
treatment, surgical and nursing services to the patient and its central concern
is life and health of the patient. As a service organization, the hospitals
need to recognize the importance of consumer preferences. Hospitals should be
able to meet the expectations of the patients and patient relations attending
him or her.
Many people are investing money in this sector andbig
corporate houses have entered into health services sector. They are coming with
a corporate and professional culture. This has become a great threat to thedomestic
healthcare providers. In order to compete with them,local private healthcare
providers should try to understand the preferences of their patients. If the
services provided by them matches to the expectations of their patients, then
it will yield maximum satisfaction. Dissatisfaction may lead patients to keep away
from the treatment of the same hospitals.Availability of specialist doctors and
surgeons and infrastructure consideration of the hospitals are the dominant
reason for the choice of the hospitals by the patients. Patients have different
reasons and preferences in choosing a hospital.
Patients’ Response
on Reasons for Choosing Private Hospitals
1.
Near
to Home
2.
Transport
Convenience
3.
Cost
Considerations
4.
Infrastructure
Considerations
5.
Availability
of Specialist Physicians &Surgeons
6.
Patient
Urgency
7.
Suggested
by Friends & Relatives
8.
Referred
by Consulted Doctors
9.
PerceivedQuality
of Care
10.
Privacy
and Security Considerations
11.
Media
Influence
12.
Insurance
Cover and Corporate Medical Covers
13.
Hospitalization Standards at some private
hospitalsare like a five star hotels.
14.
Availability
of Medicines and Equipment and Continuity of Care
15. Utilizationof Modern
Diagnostic Equipment and Experts
16. Personal Care and Attention to Patients
17. Safety of the Hospital Environment
18. Hospital own Publicity and Advertisement
Uganda
National Association of Private Hospitals
(UNAPH)
P.O. Box 29324
Kampala, Uganda
Comments
Post a Comment