Patient satisfaction with TB care clinical consultations in Kampala: a cross sectional study.

Willy Ssengooba1, Bruce Kirenga, Catherine Muwonge, Steven Kyaligonza, Samuel Kasozi, Frank Mugabe, Martin Boeree, Moses Joloba
, Alphonse Okwera
6 and PanACEA Consortium
1. Department of Medical Microbiology Makerere University Kampala and
Academic Medical Centre University of Amsterdam
2. Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences
3. National TB and Leprosy Program, Ministry of Health, Uganda
4. Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical
5. Department of Microbiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences
6. National Tuberculosis treatment unit, Mulago Hospital

Abstract
Background: Patient satisfaction towards care during encounter with clinicians is key for better treatment outcomes. We assessed patient satisfaction with TB clinical care consultations in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods:This was a facility-based cross sectional study done between September 2012 and February 2013 using qualitative  method of data collection. Participants consecutively completed a pre-tested structured satisfaction questionnaire. A criteria of  the rating as good; >75% was considered acceptable, (50-75%) as more effort is needed and <50 as unacceptable and require  immediate action was used to categorize data for analysis using Epi-info 7.1.4.0.

Results: Of the 260 registered TB patients, 178(68.5%) completed the questionnaire. Overall, 162 (91.0%) were satisfied with  the clinical consultation. Factors that contributed to high patient satisfaction, were: time spent with clinician (85.4%), explanation of what was done (87.6%), technical skills (91.6%), personal manner of the clinician seen (91.6%). Factors for low satisfaction were; waiting time before getting an appointment (61.8%), convenience of location of consultation office (53.4%), getting through to the office by phone (21.3%) and length of time waiting at the office (61.2%).

Conclusion: Tuberculosis patients in Kampala are satisfied with TB clinical care consultations. Addressing factors with low  patient satisfaction may significantly impact on treatment outcome.

Keywords:Patient satisfaction, TB care clinical consultations, cross sectional study