Determinants of patient loyalty to healthcare providers: An integrative review

Abstract

Purpose: Patient loyalty is key to business success for healthcare providers and also for patient health outcomes. This study aims to identify determinants influencing patient loyalty to healthcare providers and propose an integrative conceptual model of the influencing factors. Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, OVID, ProQuest and Elsevier Science Direct databases were searched. Study selection: Publications about determinants of patient loyalty to health providers were screened, and 13 articles were included. Data extraction: Date of publication, location of the research, sample details, objectives and findings/ conclusions were extracted for 13 articles. Results of data synthesis: Thirteen studies explored eight determinants: satisfaction, quality, value, hospital brand image, trust, commitment, organizational citizenship behavior and customer complaints. The integrated conceptual model comprising all the determinants demonstrated the significant positive direct impact of quality on satisfaction and value, satisfaction on trust and commitment, trust on commitment and loyalty, and brand image on quality and loyalty. Conclusion: This review identifies and models the determinants of patient loyalty to healthcare providers. Further studies are needed to explore the influence of trust, commitment, and switching barriers on patient loyalty.