Investigation of Parents' Satisfaction and the Causative Factors in Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: In our study, we aimed to assess the levels of parents' satisfaction in accordance with the information obtained from patients' parents who referred to our emergency department. Methods: This prospective and descriptive study was conducted in the Pediatric Emergency Department of Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Center, between 01 June 2008 and 01 November 2008. Four hundred and eighty five literate parents with no communication and language problem who filled out informed consent form were involved in the study. Results: 485 parents (ages 17-63 years) were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 33,6 +/- 8,6. 274 (%56,5) of them were mothers, 161 (%33,2) of them were fathers and 50 (%10,3) were patients' other relatives. The rate of parents' overall satisfaction was %74,6. The effects of attitude of healthcare providers, informing, easy access to healthcare staff and cleanliness and comfort of the emergency department were found statistically significant on overall satisfaction. Moreover, waiting room times, parents' levels of education, social security status and the way the patients are discharged from the emergency department are the statistically significant factors influencing the parents' overall satisfaction. Conclusions: Attitudes, communication abilities and experience of the healthcare providers were the factors that had the greatest impact on overall satisfaction of the peadiatric emergency department population evaluated. Providing continuing education for the healthcare providers about these issues will improve the quality of on going care in hospitals and may cover the needs of society.