EXAMINATION OF TEACHING HOSPITAL GOVERNANCE, QUALITY OF CARE AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Successful and well-organized governance of hospitals is faced with many challenges. It is also known that, negligence in the health system is becoming a problem. The objectives of the study were: to examine the nature of hospitals governance in the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH); to assess the patient perspective of quality of service within Tamale teaching Hospital; and to find out if patients were satisfied with the services rendered to them in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. It also sought out if there were any relationship between hospital governance, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Research respondents include in-patients, staffs and sampled directors of the Tamale teaching hospital. The findings revealed that the structure of the governing board of TTH was similar to other teaching hospitals in Ghana. Staff in TTH rated the governance of TTH based on the Taylor's principles as a little below expectation. In-patient satisfaction score for TTH from the client perspective showed that clients rated the services of TTH as a little below expectation. Nineteen determinants of client perceived quality of care were identified and ranked. Service that is delivered on time was the most important indicator of client perceived quality of care followed by client privacy. The research demonstrated that, hospitals in Ghana can be scored and ranked based on the governance and client satisfaction.