Determinants of understanding and satisfaction with health education by patients in primary healthcare

Objectives: The aim of the study is to measure the percentage of patients receiving health education services regarding diagnosis, treatment, prevention, health promotion, and its relation to the satisfaction level in primary healthcare (PHC) centers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire targeting the population aged 18 and above who attend PHC centers in Abu Dhabi Island. A total number of 333 participants were enrolled in this study. Results: About 89.6% of participants reported receiving health education regarding diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and health promotion. 81% of health education was delivered by the physician using verbal methods, 94.4% of the participants reported it to be the most preferred method. A relationship was found between health education and satisfaction level (P = 0.000). 86.4% were satisfied with the health education service they received. The main reasons of satisfaction included provider medical knowledge 43.6% and good communication skills 41.2% (P = 0.045). A correlation was found between patient satisfaction and the continuity of care of participants as 88.2% who are satisfied reported will revisit the same physician (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Majority of the patients received health education about diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and health promotion. Most of them preferred a verbal method to be delivered by a physician. Moreover, participants who received health education found to be more satisfied and complaint with their follow-up as well as recommend the physician to others. The main reason for dissatisfaction was the provider's poor medical knowledge and poor communication skills. Therefore, physicians may need training courses to achieve better communication skills and to improve medical knowledge delivered to patients.

Key-words:

Abu Dhabi Island - health education - primary health care - satisfaction - United Arab Emirates

• References

• 1 Al-Sakkak MA, Al-Nowaiser NA, Al-Khashan HI, Al-Abdrabulnabi AA, Jaber RM. Patient satisfaction with primary health care services in Riyadh. Saudi Med J 2008;29:432-6.
• 2 Hekkert KD, Cihangir S, Kleefstra SM, van den Berg B, Kool RB. Patient satisfaction revisited: A multilevel approach. Soc Sci Med 2009;69:68-75.
• 3 Drain M. Quality improvement in primary care and the importance of patient perceptions. J Ambul Care Manage 2001;24:30-46.
• 4 Coulter A. Can patients assess the quality of health care? BMJ 2006;333:1-2.
• 5 Westaway MS, Rheeder P, Van Zyl DG, Seager JR. Interpersonal and organizational dimensions of patient satisfaction: The moderating effects of health status. Int J Qual Health Care 2003;15:337-44.
• 6 Tung YC, Chang GM. Patient satisfaction with and recommendation of a primary care provider: Associations of perceived quality and patient education. Int J Qual Health Care 2009;21:206-13.
• 7 Fitzpatrick R. Surveys of patient satisfaction: II – Designing a questionnaire and conducting a survey. BMJ 1991;302:1129-32.
• 8 Larsen DE, Rootman I. Physician role performance and patient satisfaction. Soc Sci Med 1976;10:29-32.
• 9 Brunello G, Fort M, Schneeweis N, Winter-Ebmer R. The causal effect of education on health: What is the role of health behaviors? Health Econ 2016;25:314-36.
• 10 Asiri N, Bawazir AAA, Jradi H. Patients' Satisfaction with Health Education Services at Primary Health Care Centers in Riyadh, KSA. J Community Med Health Educ 2013;4:268. doi: 10.4172/2161-0711.1000268
• 11 Mansour AA, al-Osimy MH. A study of satisfaction among primary health care patients in Saudi Arabia. J Community Health.1993;18:163-73..