title: Assessment of patient satisfaction of the quality of health care provided by outpatient services of an oncology hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research is to investigate the patient's satisfaction (patient's satisfaction) with medical services provided in Outpatients' Departments of a Greek Anti-Cancer Hospital in morning and afternoon clinics. The assessment of patients and identification of factors that contribute to their satisfaction will highlight the organizational and operational problems of outpatient department and assist in finding solutions to upgrade the quality of services provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the collection of data, a questionnaire with closed answers in a five-point scale 'Likert' scale was used. The questions were related to demographics, social data users, and the overall service process in the outpatient Hospital. The sample consisted of 100 patients (RR: 76%) who visited the outpatient clinic in the morning or afternoon over a month long period of time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of our research showed that cancer patients reported a high satisfaction rate with the health services provided in outpatient department of Anti-Cancer Hospital. The highest reported levels of satisfaction were related to working with medical staff because of the special relationship of trust that patients develop with their physician. Some problems were noted during the morning shift by patients. Patients reported frustration over long waiting times to get an appointment, last minute appointments, lack of flexibility when making appointments and long waiting times before being examined by a doctor. No statistically significant relationship was found between overall satisfaction with demographics' and other factors, although the grading services seem to be affected by the health status of patients, education and sex.
authors.affiliation: . psarafis@teiste.gr.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarafis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malliarou
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsounis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Igoumenidis
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bamidis
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Niakas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult