OR11-2 * PATIENT SATISFACTION AND CO-PAY FEE ACCEPTANCE AT 9 MMT CLINICS IN HAI PHONG, VIETNAM

Abstract

Introduction. Since 2008, nine Methadone clinics have provided free clinical services in Hai Phong, Vietnam. In January 2014, the clinics began collecting a patient co-pay fee (USD $0.50 daily) to compensate for decreases in available funding. The following month, a survey measured patient satisfaction with component services and evaluated effects of the transition from free-service to a co-pay model. It also assessed patients' preferred fee collection schedules. Methods. All patients enrolled in the 9 clinics during February 19-21, 2014, were invited to participate and were given a short self-administrated, structured questionnaire. Participants completed and returned questionnaires into sealed boxes. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Results. The response rate was 80% (2,227 participants). The proportion of patients answering Satisfied or Very satisfied to each service was as follows: reception (70.6%), medical examination (75.0%), counseling (76.9%), methadone dispensing (75.2%), security (67.9%) and sanitary condition (67.6%). The proportions of patients answering Dissatisfied or Very dissatisfied ranged from 5.9% (counseling) to 10.4% (security). 77.3% preferred to pay monthly, 15.9% quarterly, 1.9% semi-annually; 1.7% annually; and 3.1% other payment schedules. Conclusion. Results were used to recommend several service quality improvements for Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programs and to recommend a monthly fee collection schedule.