Barriers Faced by Healthcare Service Users Based on Disability Levels: A Comparison between a Private Hospital and a Public Hospital

Authors : Şahika Kan, Aysun Danayiyen, Elem Eroğlu, Gülay Ekinci

Pages : 342-348

Doi:10.26453/otjhs.1533829

View : 24 | Download : 30

Publication Date : 2024-12-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The study aims to classify healthcare users by disability level and identify service-related issues while also comparing private and public hospitals. Materials and Methods: The scope of this descriptive, cross-sectional study includes patients visiting the outpatient services of one private and one public hospital. A face-to-face questionnaire was conducted with 181 outpatients from private hospitals and 180 from public hospitals. Data meeting normality were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation, and variance analysis. Results: 51.2% of healthcare service users reported experiencing at least minor difficulties in one or more areas of disability. Among the scale factors according to institution type, there is a significant difference only in the social security dimension (t=9.20, p<0.000). Significant differences were found in the social security dimension (F = 4.50, p < 0.05) and the auxiliary factors dimension (F = 3.26, p < 0.01) between the groups based on their level of disability. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the institution variable and the social security dimension (r=-0.437, p<0.000) and the access (r=-0.215, p<0.000). On the other hand, significant positive relationships were determined between the institution variable and the psychological (r=0.294, p<0.000) and the physical/environmental dimensions (r=0.138, p<0.000). Conclusions: Disability-related problems in private and public hospitals relate to social security and auxiliary factors. State hospitals should improve physical and environmental conditions, such as ramps, seating quality, and signage. Additionally, private hospitals need to address social security coverage and ensure that all types of healthcare services are included.
Keywords : Engellilik düzeyi, engellilik sağlık hizmeti kullanıcıları, poliklinik hizmeti