Patients′ assessment of quality of eye care in a nigerian teaching hospital

BACKGROUND: Patients' assessment of quality of health care despite its importance in uptake of available services is not frequently examined in developing countries. METHOD: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Eye clinic in a Tertiary health facility to find out patients' perception of quality of care received in the facility. A questionnaire instrument was used, and it included patients' socio-demographic data, patients' perception of waiting time, charges, supportive services such as ease of movement from one service point to the other and pharmacy. Respondents' suggestions on any area of service rendered to them were also captured. RESULT: A total of 124 respondents were interviewed. Majority (89.4%) reported long waiting time particularly for doctors' consultation. Missed clinic appointment was mostly due to health workers strike. Two-thirds of patients procured their prescribed drugs outside the Hospital due to hospital bureaucracy. However, most patients reported having received adequate explanation on their ailment from the health workers. Despite the shortcomings in services received most of the patients expressed satisfaction with the quality of care received. CONCLUSION: There is need to frequently examine the quality of health care received by patients in developing countries with the aim of identifying areas of services that should be improved. Key words: patients' assessment, eye care, quality.