Satisfaction with the oral health services. A qualitative study among non-commissioned officers in the Malaysian armed forces

Esa, R. and Rajah, P. and Razak, I.A. (2006) Satisfaction with the oral health services. A qualitative study among non-commissioned officers in the Malaysian armed forces. Community Dental Health, 23 (1). pp. 15-20. ISSN 0265-539X,

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Abstract

Patient satisfaction is critical for the growth and prosperity of any oral health service or practice. The success of any oral health service can be assessed by an evaluation of the degree of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of its patients. Objective The aim of this study is to assess satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the oral health services among Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). Method A qualitative study using the Nominal Group Technique was undertaken. Eighty subjects from the Rasah Camp, Seremban were randomly selected from four lists, namely privates, male and female corporals and sergeants and were Grouped into 10 discussion groups of eight participants each. Of the 10 groups, four groups comprised male corporals.. three groups of privates, two groups of sergeants and one group of female corporals. Two separate discussion sessions were conducted to elicit factors/items causing dissatisfaction and satisfaction expressed by the participants. Every participant then scored all the factors perceived as important by members of the group. The score ranged from 0-9 i.e., the least to the most important. Scores were weighted, and the weighted score of every participant for each item was added. The ratings of the factors were determined by comparing the sum Of the weighted scores. Results The six most important factors/items rated in the satisfaction discussion were modern equipment (9.07), friendly dentist (8.27), pleasant surgery (8.23), good quality treatment (7.93), friendly staff (7.18) and pain alleviation (6.07). These factors were further regrouped into three broad categories i.e. (1) Clinic set-Lip, (2) Patient-personnel interaction (PPI) and (3) Technical competency (TC). In the dissatisfaction discussion six factors/items were rated i.e. long waiting time (10.39), sequence of treatment not followed (7.18), non-availability of dentist (7.16), unfriendly staff (7.05), poor quality treatment (6.80) and restricted time for treatment (5.98). The three most important categories in the dissatisfaction discussion were (1) Administrative efficiency, (2) PPI and (3) TC. Conclusion A conceptual model was developed to explain the factors affecting patients' satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the oral health services. It is recommended that a questionnaire Survey be undertaken to validate and reflect the entire population of the MAF. Remedial measures highlighted in the areas of dissatisfaction should be addressed accordingly based on the quantitative study.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: ISI Document Delivery No.: 021EH Times Cited: 2 Cited Reference Count: 26 Cited References: ALLEN FW, 1992, MIL MED, V157, P200 BORHAN J, 1995, THESIS U MALAYA DAVIES AR, 1981, SOC SCI MED-MED SOC, V15, P751, DOI 10.1016/0271-7123(81)90019-5 DIDAR S, 1996, THESIS U MALAYA FAKI B, 1989, MIRROR PROBE, V13, P13 FRIEDSON E, 1958, J AM DENT ASSOC, V57, P325 GALLAGHER M, 1993, FAM PRACT, V10, P76, DOI 10.1093/fampra/10.1.76 GAZDA G, 1975, HUMAN RELATIONS DEV HALINA H, 1995, THESIS U MALAYA HALL JA, 1988, MED CARE, V26, P657, DOI 10.1097/00005650-198807000-00002 HUSSAIN NMZ, 1996, THESIS U MALAYA HUSSIN ZA, 1992, MED DENTAL CORPS ANN, P29 INDRASANAN S, 1989, MIRROR PROBE, V1, P27 INGERSOLL BD, 1982, BEHAV ASPECTS DENT, P13 JONES J, 1995, BRIT MED J, V311, P376 KEEBLE GB, 1983, BRIT DENT J, V153, P336 Kress G, 1987, Int Dent J, V37, P117 LEBOW JL, 1974, MED CARE, V12, P328, DOI 10.1097/00005650-197404000-00004 LOCKER D, 1989, INTRO BEHAV SCI DENT, P117 LOCKER D, 1978, SOC SCI MED-MED SOC, V12, P283, DOI 10.1016/0160-7979(78)90210-2 Murray H, 1997, Community Dent Health, V14, P69 SCHWARZ E, 1997, REPORT SERIES U HONG, V88 Taylor S A, 1994, J Health Care Mark, V14, P34 WUNDER GC, 1992, J AM DENT ASSOC, V123, P129 ZULKIFLI ZA, 1997, THESIS U MALAYA *MIN HLTH, 1996, CLIENT SAT SURV EV D Esa, R Rajah, P Razak, IA F d i world dental press ltd Lowestoft
Uncontrolled Keywords: Conceptual model patient satisfaction/dissatisfaction qualitative study medical-care Conceptual model Patient satisfaction/dissatisfaction Qualitative study adolescent adult article clinical competence dental care female human Malaysia male patient satisfaction psychological aspect soldier Humans Military Personnel
Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Divisions: Faculty of Dentistry > Dept of Community Dentistry
Depositing User: Ms Nursyafiqah Abd Malek
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2012 01:56
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2012 01:56
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/4013

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