Behavioural aspect of primary healthcare providers: an empirical study of a district in Punjab Sharma R.K.1,*, Raj Rani2, Singh Bikar3, Khanna Raghav4 1Professor, Deptt. of Public Admn., Panjab University, Chandigarh 2Principal, University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University, Faridkot 3Vice Principal, Deptt. of Public Admn., Government College Pojewal, Hoshiarpur 4Researcher Scholar, Deptt. of Public Admn., Punjab University, Chandigarh *Address for Correspondence: R.K. Sharma Professor, Department of Public Administration, University School of Open Learning, Panjab University, Chandigarh e-mail ID: sharma_14440@yahoo.com
Online published on 29 November, 2017. Abstract Introduction Health of the people is one of the major indicators in projecting the status of the social development in any country and for that matter Primary Health Care is of prime importance. Ignoring the health component means ignoring the vital factor in the human development. Charaka, the renowned Ayurvedic Physician once remarked that “Health is vital for ethical, artistic, material and spiritual development of man”. Not only for human development but promotion of health is also basic to the national progress. Objective The main objective of the study is to find out the level of patient satisfaction regarding the behaviour of health care deliverers of outdoor patients in selected primary health care institutions i.e. CHC's and PHC's. Methodology The present study was conducted in the district Nawansahar of Punjab. The district comprises of five Blocks out of which two blocks of Nawanshahar district namely Saroya and Banga were selected for the study. While selecting the Blocks it was decided to take one block which has the minimum populations as well as the minimum infrastructure whereas the other has the maximum population and the maximum net work of health institutions. The total sample of 126 outdoor patients was taken from 2 CHC and 2 PHC of the 2 selected blocks through purposive random sampling. From Saroya Block, the CHC Saroya and PHC Saroya and from Banga Blocks the CHC Banga and PHC Sujjon comprised part of the sample (making 2CHC and 2 PHC) out of each CHC and PHC of a Block the sample of 63 patients was taken (22 outdoor patients from CHC level of the each block and 22 outdoor patients from each PHC of the block making the total of 63 patients). Result The poor patients were found more satisfied with the behaviour of the staff and the treatment given to them. The more of female patients found the medical/para medical staff helpful and acting promptly. Some of the Doctors and the staff were found missing during the working hours. Not all the patients were satisfied with the instructions given to them by medical staff. Satisfaction level found to be high in female as compared to male patients. Conclusion The above analysis is substantiating adequately that there was no clear trend found regarding the satisfaction level of patients as the responses were divided by a very thin margin in relation to variables and within the variables. The majority of middle age, female and low and middle-income category respondents opined that staff was present during the working hours whereas the majority of younger age group, male and high income group respondents were in disagreement with the statement that staff was present during the working hours. Top Keywords Satisfaction, CHC, PHC. Top |