Patient satisfaction with nursing care post-operatively

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore patients' perceptions on factors of nursing care in an attempt to identify and analyze the level of patient satisfaction in each factor and give an indication of the strengths and weaknesses of nursing care from the patients' perspectives. Twenty-eight patients were selected conveniently to participate from surgical wards in the state hospital in Malta. Data was collected by the use self administered questionnaires consisting of close-ended and open-ended questions, which yielded a response rate of 93%. These were then analyzed using descriptive analysis. The factors of nursing care analyzed in this study all obtained relatively high mean scores of patient satisfaction. Results showed that male patients were more satisfied than female patients in all the factors of nursing care. Findings suggest that patients were most satisfied with the individualized nursing care including privacy provided on the wards and had positive experiences regarding the nurses' attitudes on their work as well as nurses answering their needs effectively and efficiently. On the other hand it emerged that the patients were least satisfied with the physical and social nursing care. This includes taking into consideration the patients' everyday habits and their activities outside hospital whilst providing nursing care. Identifying and analyzing factors that enhance patient satisfaction is crucial to assist nurses to provide better quality care. The results of this study are however limited to the small sample size and the type of sample. Suggestions and recommendations for nursing practice and further research have been made.