Abstract
OBJECTIVE : the main objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with discharge against medical advice among patients in UCTH. To achieve the aim of this study, the following hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. There is no significant relationship between patients’ factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. There is no significant relationship between medical staff factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. There is no significant relationship between hospital environmental factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. Literature related to the variables under study were reviewed accordingly. METHODS : Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. This research design was considered most appropriate because the researchers do not have direct control over the independent variables, they are inherently not manipulatable. A sample of one hundred and four respondents was randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the simple random sampling technique. This was to give every member of the population area equal and independent opportunity to be selected for the study. The questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by experts in measurement and evaluation. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the test re-test reliability method. RESULT : To test the hypothesis Pearson product moment correlation analysis was adopted. This statistical analysis technique was used because of the nature of the variables involved in the hypothesis directing the study. The hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that patients’ factors, medical staff factors and hospital environmental factors were significantly related to discharge against medical advice. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that; Patients’ factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. Medical staff factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. Hospital environmental factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. A similar study could be carried out again using other statistical analysis techniques to ascertain the validity and reliability of the present findings.
Highlights
Background to the study University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)plays an important role in preserving people’s life
The result of the analysis revealed that patients’ factors, medical staff factors and hospital environmental factors were significantly related to discharge against medical advice
Medical staff factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice
Summary
Background to the study University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)plays an important role in preserving people’s life. Management and evaluation of UCTH performances can only be attained by having reliable information about the current situation compared to other hospitals, UCTH receives the most large number of patients as well as the most serious ones; the quality of medical service in UCTH can represent the general quality of the medical services provided by a hospital (Malekmakan, Haghpanah, Moravej , & Sharifi 2010). It is believed that patient’s satisfaction of medical services is a proper indicator for quality of services provided by hospitals. In order to enhance the quality of medical services in UCTH, there should be a proper understanding of the current situation of UCTH along with an appropriate analysis of the problems (Mackinley, & Roberts, 2001). Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) is a critical problem in hospitalization of patient in which a patient despite medical advice leaves the hospital earlier than due time (Carrese, 2006)). The outcomes of DAMA for the patient can be deterioration of his/her situation, even up to the point of death or the entailing side effects which cannot be cured in long time and render the therapeutic result unsatisfactory (Rangraz, Rangraz Jeddi, Rezaeei & Monfared, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
