HEALTH CONDITIONS: ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS’ SOCIAL PROBLEMS AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN SOUTHERN REGION OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Nizar Ahmad; Mamoon Khan Khattak; Said Anwar Shah

Nizar Ahmad Department of Social Work & Sociology, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat
Mamoon Khan Khattak Department of Social Work & Sociology, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat
Said Anwar Shah Department of Commerce Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan

Keywords: Public hospitals, Patient’s Social problems, Patient satisfaction, hospital staff, Doctor’s behavior, society

Abstract

Objectives: The present study highlights patient’s problems which are due to staff behavior and lack of facilities available during treatment in Public hospitals in Pashtun Society of District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Out Patient Department and in House Ward treatment at two public hospitals i.e District Headquarter Hospital Karak and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Banda Daud Shah, Karak. A sample of 55 respondents, 15% of the daily average population 365, was selected through non probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured interview in May 2012.
Results: It was found that mostly poor people 20 (36.4%) visit public hospitals for treatment where as 23 (41.8%) respondents agreed on that staff show frustration towards patients, 40 (72.7%) opined that common patients are not treated well by doctors and 53 (96.4%) viewed that doctors give preference to known /relative patients.
Conclusions: It is concluded that lack of staff interest and unavailability of facilities are the major causes of patient’s dissatisfaction in public hospitals.
Policy Message: Allocation of more resources to public hospitals, public health initiatives in rural areas, assurance of a proper check and balance and feedback and complaint mechanism system will haul the patients’ misery at public health institutions in Pashtun society.