Patients’ satisfaction under National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF): The case of Bugando Referral hospital
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mzumbe University
Abstract
Introduction: The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), scheme was initiated in 2003 by the government, with the aim of making health care services accessible to the formal sector employees. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the patients’ level of satisfaction under NHIF and factors influencing their satisfaction. Methods: The study employed a cross sectional study design involving 82 NHIF outpatients. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed; the data collection methods used includes questionnaire administration, focus group discussions and documentary review. Results: It emerged from the study that, insured patients had good expectation towards health services as well as good attitude with health service at the OPD, except poor attitude was noted on patients’comfort ability towards health service. 37 (52.9%) respondents expressed poor attitude. Also 38 (54.2%) respondents indicated dissatisfaction on accessibility of the health services, especially enough space and seats. Furthermore, up to 36(51.4 %) respondents were dissatisfied with too long consultation time; and 34 (48.6%) respondents were dissatisfied with the service area at OPD, being inconvenient for the provision of health care to the insured patients.. It however emerged from the study that respondents were moderately satisfied with the availability of health services at the OPD and were satisfied with the quality of health services at the OPD. Conclusion: The study recommends action to be taken by NHIF scheme together with the hospital administration on addressing patients’ concerns for the purpose of improving the provision of health services. They should also include patient satisfaction strategies in their strategic plan for monitoring and evaluation of patient satisfaction under NHIF.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the school of Public Administration and Management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Masters of Health systems of Mzumbe University.
Keywords
National Health Insurance Fund, Health care services, Hospital administration, Health service-quality, Health resources, Access to health service, Health insurance
Citation
APA