Expectations of quality of service of clients under the Universal Health Coverage Scheme after Copayment Fee (30 Baht) a case study in Bangbuathong prefecture, Nonthaburi province
Abstract:
This study aimed to analyze the expectations regarding the quality of service of clients in 8 areas : accessibility to need, timeliness, continuity, participation of patients family in care, equity, communication and information, dignity, and basic amenities in an effect to identify factors associated with expectations of service of quality and the impact on the cost of the service after copayment fee (30 baht). This study was conducted in Bangbuathong, Nonthaburi Province. The sample consisted of 397 individuals who receive medical coverage under the universal health coverage scheme fee between August - November 2013. The researcher divided the number of households by parish then randomly selected villages and households by systematic random sampling, and then randomly selected one person per household. The interview data was collected by the researcher and a research assistant. Interviews questions covered socio-economic status, experience of illness, use of health services in a hospital, expectations regarding the quality of services, and the impact regarding the addition cost not covered under the program to patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T statistics (t-test) and F statistics (F-test). The results showed that the overall expectations of quality of service was moderate(66%) and the other expectations of service of quality were also moderate. The sample had high expectations of quality of service is continuity(17.6%) and equity(27%). The average level of overall expectations of quality of service with variables was found to be significantly related to age, occupation, income, domicile, health cards, and waiting time in the hospital (P<.05). The copay fee (30 baht) indicated a willingness to pay the additional cost of the services. Recommendations from the study are that hospitals should develop patients awareness so that expectations of quality of service is high and there is continuity and equity of services that take into account the different factors including age, occupation, income, domicile, health cards, and waiting time in the hospital. After copayment fee (30 baht) were paid there was no significate effect on the cost to the public.