Evaluation of patients' satisfaction after laparoscopic surgery in a tertiary hospital in Cameroon (Africa)

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 28; no. 216; p. 216
• Main Authors: Fouogue, Jovanny Tsuala, Tchounzou, Robert, Fouelifack, Florent Ymele, Fouedjio, Jeanne Hortence, Dohbit, Julius Sama, Sando, Zacharie, Mboudou, Emile Telesphore
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2017; The African Field Epidemiology Network; The Pan African Medical Journal
• Subjects: Adult; Cameroon; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cysts; Female; Guardians; gynaecology; Gynecology; Health care expenditures; Health insurance; Health Services Accessibility; Hernias; Hospitals; Humans; Industrialized nations; Infertility; Laparoscopy; Laparoscopy - methods; Low income groups; Male; Marital status; Medical records; Medical referrals; Middle Aged; Nursing; Obstetrics; Patient Satisfaction - statistics & numerical data; patients; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; Quality; satisfaction; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tertiary Care Centers; Womens health; Young Adult; Cameroon; Africa; gynaecology; Laparoscopy; satisfaction; patients; surgery
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.216.11441

Access to laparoscopy is low in Cameroon where customers' satisfaction has not been reported so far. We assessed patients' satisfaction with the process of care during laparoscopic surgery in a new tertiary hospital. A questionnaire was addressed to consenting patients (guardians for patients under 18) with complete medical records who underwent laparoscopy at the Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital (Cameroon) from November 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016. The following modified Likert's scale was used to assess satisfaction: very weak: 0-2.5; weak 2.6-5; good: 5.1-7.5; very good: 7.6-10. Only descriptive statistics were used. Response rate was 90% (45/50). Of the 45 respondents, 39 (86.7%) were female, 14(31.1%) were referred and 39 (86.7%) paid by direct cash deposit. Mean age was 36.8±11.9 years. Laparoscopies were carried out in emergency for 3 (6.7%) patients. Digestive abnormalities indicated 13 (28.9%) laparoscopies while gynaecologic diseases accounted for 32 (71.1%) cases. Perception of the overall care process was good with a mean satisfaction score of 6.8 ± 1.4. Scores in categories were: 0% (Very weak); 13.3% (weak); 57.8% (good) and 28.9% (very good). Specifically mean satisfaction scores were: 7.8 ± 1.0 with doctors' care; 7.1 ± 1.3 with hospital administration; 7.0 ± 1.2 with nursing and 4.7 ± 1.4 with the costs. Main complaints were: long waiting time (73.3%), constraining geographical access (66.7%) and expensiveness (48.9%). Patients were globally satisfied with the process of care but financial and geographical barriers should be addressed.