Abstract
M.Cur. (Community Nursing Sciences)
The process of professional caring involves conscious knowledge, intentional actions
and development and maintenance of a trusting nurse-patient relationship. Studies
have shown that patients who are satisfied with care experience positive healthcare
outcomes including increased treatment compliance, increased likelihood for positive
behavioural change, increased trust in healthcare providers, and longer survival
periods. The purpose of this study was to investigate and understand patients’
satisfaction with caring at a hospital in the rural area in-order to propose
recommendations for facilitating enhanced patient centred caring at the hospital.
The study was a mixed methods design using sequential explanatory strategy.
Quantitative descriptive and correlational were the core methods, followed by
qualitative phenomenological methods. The study targeted all adult patients (≥18
years) admitted to male, female, TB and maternity wards at the hospital. Stratified
sampling was used to recruit 120 respondents in phase one and in phase two, 2
participants were selected using purposive sampling. CNPI-23P and PSI
questionnaires were used for data collection in phase one and individual interviews
were used in phase two. Ethical considerations and measures for validity, reliability
and trustworthiness were strictly adhered to. Data were analysed using statistical
procedures, thematic analysis and an integration process of quantitative and
qualitative findings.
Total mean patient satisfaction was 69.76% (M=3.488). Highest satisfaction (90.6%;
M=4.53; SD=0.879) occurred with nurses’ presence; while lowest satisfaction
(37.4%; M=1.87; SD=1.710) was seen with patient teaching. Pearson correlation
revealed several positive correlations of moderate strength between caring and
satisfaction (r = .260-.475; p ≤.05 {2-tailed} n=120). Females and younger
respondents were found to be more satisfied than their counterparts. No significant
differences were found in satisfaction for marital status and level of education.
Patients’ lived experiences revealed that critical to caring were nurses’
demonstration of presence and professional proficiency. To enhance improved