Staff Behavior towards Patient Care in Ambo Hospital West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

Background: Hospitals are institutions where people receive medical, surgical and other nursing care by health care professionals. The quality of the services delivered may vary depending on the interaction between the health care professionals and the patient. All staff, including nurses should behave towards patients in a way that they promote the dignity of each and every patient during the interaction since they have a professional ethics to respect patients. Study on staff behavior towards patient care of scarce in Ethiopia and study area in particular. Objective: To assess staff behavior towards patient care in Ambo hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted from November 10- 30/2009 among Ambo hospital health professionals and supportive staff working in in-patients and out-patients departments. Data was collected through Observation, interview and focus group discussion were used to obtain information for the study. The data obtained from focus group discussions were analyzed using qualitatively and supplemented by the data obtained from interview and observation whenever necessary. Results: The study revealed several factors that affected staff behavior towards patient care. Some of these factors are: work load, insufficient treatment from nurses, shortage of health professionals, absence of salary increment, health insurance services as well as accesses of having further up-grading training program are the major ones. Conclusion: Behavioral approach of Ambo hospital staff towards patient care was not sufficient. These might be explained by internal and external factors. Recommendation: The Regional Health Bureau and Zonal Health Office should have responsible for strengthening referral system, arranging further educational program and facilitate free health service for the respected staff.