Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify the nature of the patient service quality of health center, and based on that, to examine the relationship of health center visitor's perceived quality and overall satisfaction. Data were collected on the basis of 'the 3rd Regional Health Care Planning' operated by Rural Health Care Service Technology Aid Task-force Team(RHCSTAT), Ministry of Health and Welfare. Basically, the Manual of 3rd Regional Health Care Planning is composed of structure, process, and outcome measurement indicators. Of these indicators, 21 patient satisfaction questions as outcome indicators are used in this study. The samples are 3,530 patients who visited 80 health centers all of the nation. First, the reliability and validity of patient service quality items was evaluated. Second, the descriptive statistics of health service quality are calculated. Third, through the T-test and ANOVA, the differences of patient satisfaction by responder's general characteristics are compared. In final, to explore the relationship of service quality and overall satisfaction, multiple regression analysis was used. This study shows firstly, the dimension of patient service quality was categorized into 3 dimensions, that is, facilities and environment, staff kindness, and access convenience. Secondly, the reliability and validity of patient service quality items was satisfied. Thirdly, the mean score of staff kindness factors are high in contrast to the facilities and environment. And in regard to the overall satisfaction, the mean score is more higher in Daegu region, County type health center, male group, and upper 65 age group than comparison groups. Lastly, as a result of multiple regression analysis, the effect of patient's perceived service quality, especially, appropriateness of billing time(Beta=0.190) and of reservation time(Beta=0.132) are statistically significant(P<0.01). In conclusion, to satisfy the health need of community people and improve the service quality of the health center, the efforts for the access convenience might be needed. Additionally, the enlargement on health center space and supply of new medical equipment is urgent for the patient satisfaction.
