“Patients’ Perception on Healthcare Infrastructure: A Comparative Study on Government and Private Hospitals”

Abstract

Background: The main objective of the study is to compare the patients' perceptions of the infrastructure of private hospital and government hospital and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the infrastructure of private hospital and government hospitals. To identify and understand the differences in patients' perception of healthcare infrastructure between these two sectors is a critical aspect for identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement in both private and government sector.

Purpose: It is a general observation that the cost of services provided by a government hospital is less than that of a private hospital. But the services provided by private hospital is considered better than the government hospital. However, the value of overall perception level of the patients who have taken healthcare services from both the government and private hospital would be measured by the combined effect of services provided at different departments including various factors undertaken.

Materials and Methodology: 150 samples are collected, of which the patients’ have experienced the services of both public and private healthcare institutions.

Results: In this study, different patients are being influenced by different factors with led to a final opinion. It has been found that patients have a positive perception towards private healthcare institutions.

Conclusion: Cleanliness and hygiene, waiting time are crucial factors that significantly impact patients' experiences and satisfaction with healthcare infrastructure. Overall satisfaction with healthcare services is influenced by factors such as ease of navigation, availability of parking facilities, positive patient-staff interactions, characterized by respectful and empathetic    communication, and access to relevant information.

Practice Implications: The importance to improve patients’ experience and feedback, improvement in quality of healthcare provided, loopholes in services provided by healthcare professionals along with the availability of medical equipment and medications.