Patients’ Perception of Patient-Centered Care and Associated Factors Among Patients Admitted in Private and Public Hospitals: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Mengistu Ewunetu,1 Worku Temesgen,2 Dagmawit Zewdu,2 Astewle Andargie,1 Mulu Kebede,1 Tadios Lidetu2 1Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 2Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mengistu Ewunetu, Debre Tabor University, P.O.Box Address: 272, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, Tel +251945575289, Email mengistue11@gmail.comIntroduction: The provision of patient-centered care is challenging around the globe, including in Ethiopia. There is a scarcity of information on this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to assess patients’ perceptions of patient-centered care and associated factors among patients admitted to public and private hospitals in Bahir Dar city.Methods: A facility-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May 8–June 15, 2022. Using a multistage sampling approach, the study participants were selected. An interviewer was used to collect the data. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was declared using a p value< 0.05.Results: Overall, 53.7% of patients reported poor patient-centered care. And it was higher among public hospitals (66.3%) than private hospitals (40.3%). Length of stay (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI [1.1, 15.3] and AOR = 4.3; 95% CI [1.4, 13]), intimacy with providers (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI [1.2, 4.6] and AOR = 3.9; 95% CI [1.1– 9.6]), privacy during care (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI [1.93, 8.9]and AOR=3.3;95% CI: [1.5– 7]), easy access to service (AOR=2.76;95% CI [1.33, 5.74] and AOR=3.8;95% CI [1.15, 12.7]) were associated with patient-centered care in public and private hospitals respectively. Awareness of the disease (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI [1.12, 4.8]), information on plans of care (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI [1.9, 10]), and being involved in decisions (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI [1.28, 5.9]) were associated factors in private hospitals. The following factors were associated with the practice of patient-centered care only in public hospitals: residence (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI [1.4, 5.5]), medication information (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI [1.34, 6.2]), and external appearance of hospital (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI [1.04, 4.97]).Conclusion: This study showed that the practice of patient-centered care in public hospitals was poor compared to that in private hospitals. Hence, hospitals should train their staff regarding a culture of patient-centered care in order to deliver high-quality and safer care.Keywords: patient-centered care, public hospitals, private hospitals