Patients' Satisfaction with Primary Health Care Services in Qatar

Objectives: To measure patient satisfaction with primary health care centers in the state of Qatar and to identify the socio-demographic factors affecting their satisfaction. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was conducted in all 21 primary care centers in Qatar in August and September 2008. The patients were recruited by systematic random sampling and standardized questionnaires have been administered by experienced interviewers and it includes questions measuring six different aspects of health services using a 5-points rating scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Results: Two hundred and eighty two patients have participated in the study. The overall satisfaction was 75.2%. The highest score of satisfaction for the aspect of services was for accessibility to the health services (98%) and the lowest was for comprehensiveness of care (92.6%). There was significant difference in satisfaction between Qatari and non-Qatari patients, Non-Qatari were more satisfied with accessibility to services, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness of care. The students and housewives were less satisfied with continuity of care. Conclusions: The overall satisfaction was relatively low. The highest score of satisfaction for the aspect of services was for accessibility, while the lowest was for comprehensiveness of care. Qatari patients, students, and housewives are less satisfied with the current primary care services.