DOHA: Patients are less satisfied with the services at the Hamad General Hospital, especially its outpatient department, compared to other hospitals run by the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), shows HMC’s latest patient survey.
The telephone survey conducted among 5,000 patients and their families revealed an impressive 86 percent overall satisfaction rate across HMC hospitals.
The results, however, indicate that a sizeable segment of the visitors - about 14 percent - are not happy with services of public hospitals in the country.
Al Khor Hospital topped the HMC facilities in terms of patient satisfaction, followed by National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Rumailah Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and Heart Hospital.
Hamad General Hospital and Women’s Hospital, the two oldest and busiest hospitals in the country came at the bottom of the list.
Patient satisfaction with inpatient care ranged from 86 percent at Women’s Hospital to 92 percent at Al Khor Hospital, with slight variations in other hospitals.
Rumailah and NCCCR came close to Al Khor Hospital each scoring 91 percent.
In the emergency setting, Hamad General Hospital scored 80 percent and Al Wakra topped the list at 89 percent. Al Khor and Heart Hospital each scored 88 percent while Women’s Hospital had a score of 81 percent.
In outpatients, Hamad General Hospital had a 77 percent satisfaction rating while NCCCR and Rumailah Hospital each achieved an 88 percent rating, the highest among all the facilities. Women’s Hospital was just above Hamad General Hospital, with an 81 percent score.
About 97 percent of the respondents said that they would choose to visit an HMC hospital again. Some 95 percent of patients said they would recommend HMC hospitals to friends and family.
The survey was conducted by HMC’s Regulatory, Accreditation and Compliance Services Department during April and May this year.
“The survey results provide a benchmark for tracking future improvements. And this is especially important as HMC transforms itself into a highly dynamic academic health system which puts the patient at the centre of our care. We are grateful that our patients took the time to provide their feedback. Their views will help shape future HMC policies and improve the patient experience,” said HMC’s Managing Director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari.
The survey also sought comments and suggestions from the patients.
All their comments have been recorded and will be followed up by senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams in the hospitals and across HMC, said a statement yesterday.
Dr Badriya Al Ali, who led the project, said the survey was conducted by a team of 19 specially trained staff. The aspects examined by the survey included admission and registration, patient room and hospital environment, treatment and healthcare professionals, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, discharge and other healthcare facilities. The Peninsula
