Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate and understand patient satisfaction with caring at a district hospital in Malawi. 
 
 MATERIALS & METHODS: The study used a mixed methods design, employing the sequential explanatory strategy. A total of 120 adult patients completed a survey questionnaire (phase one), and of these, two patients were followed up with individual interviews (phase two). 
 
 RESULTS: Data were analyzed using statistical procedures, thematic analysis and an integration process of quantitative and qualitative findings. Highest patient satisfaction (90.6%; M=4.53; SD=0.879) occurred with nurses’ presence; while lowest satisfaction (37.4%; M=1.87; SD=1.710) was seen with patient teaching. Patients’ lived experiences revealed that nurses’ demonstration of presence and professional proficiency were critical to caring. 
 
 UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THEORY, PRACTICE AND POLICY: To enhance improved caring, there was a need for nurses to increase personal presence, promote patient involvement in decision-making, and demonstrate competent confidence.
Highlights
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: To enhance improved caring, there was a need for nurses to increase personal presence, promote patient involvement in decision-making, and demonstrate competent confidence
Caring is the core of nursing (Qiuting, 2013; Watson, 1979) and forms the basis for an inter-subjective relationship between the patient and the nurse (Wu & Volker, 2012)
Narratives from participants’ experiences in this study show that when the nurses were present in the ward, patients were promptly attended to
Summary
Caring is the core of nursing (Qiuting, 2013; Watson, 1979) and forms the basis for an inter-subjective relationship between the patient and the nurse (Wu & Volker, 2012). Failure to provide optimum care diminishes quality and negatively impacts on patient outcomes including patient satisfaction (Kim et al, 2017). Patients’ satisfaction is regarded as a major determinant of healthcare quality (Kvist, Voutilainen, Mäntynen, & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, 2014), and a clear insight into patients’ self-reports of their satisfaction with care may help in efforts to improve the care (Aiken et al, 2012)
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