Patient Satisfaction and Determinants of Nursing Care Quality in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The patient’s satisfaction with the provided care is an indicator of healthcare quality. A significant part of the literature on patient satisfaction in healthcare is focused on the quality of nursing care. Objectives: To assess patients’ satisfaction with nursing care quality and examine its association with sociodemographic factors at a tertiary care hospital in Swat, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented with a tool of Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ) for data collection. A sample size of 225 was taken from the accessible population of medical wards, and questionnaires were included according to the inclusion criteria. All data were collected through interview-based questions for patient convenience. Results: On analysis of data, 136(60%) were male, and 89 (40%) were female participants of the study. A majority of Patients revealed high satisfaction as “Very Good 122 (54%)” and “Excellent 99(44%). The nurses’ response to the patient needs, and their skills and competence, were aligned with the highest patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Patients reported a high level of satisfaction with nursing care quality, largely attributed to nurses’ skills, competence, and responsiveness. Strengthening the nursing workforce and enhancing professional development may further improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.