Experiences and Satisfaction of Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases with Current Care in Primary Health Care Centres in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Primary healthcare centres (PHCs) play a pivotal role in chronic disease care and prevention and therefore in the experience and satisfaction of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This survey examined the experiences and satisfaction of 315 Patients with NCDs receiving care from PHCs. Participants were from attendees at Ministry of Health PHCs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Findings indicate that most patients were satisfied with the care they received and confirmed the importance of providers' and physicians' communication skills in this. There was a lack of evidence of managed care, including patient involvement in disease management suggesting that steps are needed to empower patients to take a greater role in disease management. This study emphasises the important role of physicians in providing patients with information and empowering them to access community health facilities for self-managed care. This study also indicates a need to strengthen the primary health care system's focus on care beyond PHCs.