What Qualifies For A Good Health Care Facility? – Perspective of A Rural Community
What Qualifies For A Good Health Care Facility? – Perspective of A Rural Community
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70284/njirm.v8i5.1304Keywords:
qualitative research, primary health care, primary care physicians, focus group discussion, patient’s expectationAbstract
Background: Understanding the perception and expectations of the community from the primary healthcare institutions are essential to improve the utilization of the services. In rural settings, the utilization of health services is largely driven by community’s opinion than of individual’s. This aspect is relatively less explored. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the expectation of rural community from Health Care Centre in Puducherry. Methods: This qualitative study used Focus Group Discussion for capturing the community’s opinion. The study participants of more than 18 years of age were selected through purposive sampling from the service area of a rural health and training center (RHC). The FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed to English. Deductive manual content analysis of the transcript was done using a set of a priori codes and categories. Results: In total three FGDs were conducted till the point of information saturation. Two broad categories emerged out of the FGDs, viz., expectations regarding behaviour of the doctor and expectations regarding the infrastructure of the PHC. Adequate time for each consultation with thorough physical examination and explanation about the illness and treatment were the expectations from a good doctor. The participants also felt that a good health facility should be accessible, with availability of medicines and laboratory investigation, quiet consultation rooms and minimal waiting time. Certain expectations such as injections for trivial indications were expressed during FGDs. Conclusion: To be a successful Primary Healthcare practitioner, the doctor should interact with the patient at an emotional, cultural and intellectual plane. At the same time the physician should also address the misconceptions of the community. [Gomathi R NJIRM 2017; 8(5):44-48]
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