Assessment Of Factors Influecing Long-Term Relationship Among Providers And Patients: Effects On Patient Satisfaction At The Regional Hospital, Koforidua

ABSTRACT Background Patient satisfaction is a crucial indicator in assessing the progressive challenges of quality health care delivery in the country. Patients who visit various health care services providers have different understandings to share regarding the care they receive. The long term relationship assessment study provides the data on their experiences interacting with health professionals at the Koforidua Regional Hospital during provision of service. Objective The main objective of the study was to determine how long-term relationship among health providers and patients enhance patients’ satisfaction with health delivery. Methods The study was a cross sectional, which employed quantitative data collection approach. Two hundred and eighty eight (288) participants of which 170 were patients and 118 were providers responded to the study. Statistical analysis used was SPSS version 20. Chisquare analysis was used to determine the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable.  Results The study observed that the strongest explanatory variables for predicting services rendered to meet patient satisfaction were waiting time with an odds ratio of 1.787, competence and expertise of staff with an odds ratio of 1.537 and hospital environment with an odds ratio of 1.187, whilst the least among the predictor variables were reception of staff with an odds ratios of 0.864 and providers’ attitude with odds ratios of 0.887. The implication of this is that the strongest predictor variables; waiting time (1.787) and competence and expertise of staff (1.537) are most likely to enhance patient satisfaction. Conclusion Generally, the study concludes that patients’ satisfaction with healthcare provision (based on the patient factors/indicators used) has substantial influence on long-term relationship among health providers at the Koforidua Regional Hospital. The study revealed that patients’ satisfaction is not based on only receiving treatment in the facility, but rather there should be mutual trust and a good interpersonal relationship. This will influence patients’ satisfaction as well as long term relationship with health providers. Subsequently, the study also concludes that health providers’ perception of satisfaction with performance (based on the provider factors/indicators used) is enhanced with consequential influence on long-term relationship with patients.