Comparative Analysis of Patients Satisfaction Regarding Private Vs Public Health Care Centers

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction is a critical indicator of healthcare quality and plays an important role in evaluating healthcare system performance and guiding policy decisions. Differences in resources, infrastructure, and service delivery between public and private hospitals may influence patients’ perceptions of care. Understanding these differences is particularly important in developing countries where healthcare systems face structural and financial constraints. Objective: To compare patient satisfaction between public and private hospitals across three domains—paramedic staff performance, hospital environment, and doctor–patient relationship—in selected cities of Pakistan. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 patients recruited from public and private hospitals in Islamabad, Mardan, Swabi, and Dera Ismail Khan using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing three domains of patient satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and inferential analyses including independent-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS version 27 to examine differences by hospital type, gender, age group, and city. Results: Overall satisfaction scores were higher in private hospitals across all domains. The highest mean satisfaction was observed for hospital environment (M = 3.64 ± 0.65), followed by doctor–patient relationship (M = 3.57 ± 0.54) and paramedic staff (M = 3.56 ± 0.57). Independent t-tests showed significant differences between private and public hospitals for all domains (p < 0.0001). Gender differences were significant for hospital environment (p = 0.046) and doctor–patient relationship (p = 0.042), while age showed no significant association with satisfaction (p > 0.05). Significant variations were observed across cities (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients receiving care in private hospitals reported higher satisfaction levels than those treated in public hospitals, particularly in relation to hospital environment and doctor–patient communication. Improving infrastructure, staff responsiveness, and communication practices in public hospitals may enhance patient-centered healthcare delivery.