DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED PHYSICIAN-PATIENT INTERACTION IN HIWOT FANA SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, HARAR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The physician-patient interaction is central to the practice of medicine and is essential for the delivery of high-quality health care in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Hence, this interaction process is subject to different discourse which hinder the quality of care, among these factors structural and sociocultural factors were seen crucial factors in influencing the interaction process. Ethiopian current health delivery system emphasizes on forming a system where patients sociocultural and psychological values are respected and entertain such issues based on respect and as alternative opportunity for treatment plan. Studies have been conducted to explain how this sociocultural factor related to patient’s satisfaction on overall service utilization. The study argues that this necessitates a need for adequate understanding of the patient subjective view on the interaction process and the influence of their sociocultural and demographic characteristics on the interaction process. A convergent parallel mixed method design was used to carry out this study. The study was conducted from December 9-30 2018 in HFSUH. A total of 398 structured enumerator administered questionnaire, 12 semi-structured interviews with patients and physicians two FGD with patients were done to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 20, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used with P-value and odds ratio to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables, the qualitative study was analyzed using thematic analysis method. The finding of the study indicates that the course of physician-patient interaction was subject to the demographic and sociocultural environment. Having lower educational background were associated with poor interaction with physician and this is supported by having family member during interaction process for their support. Language barrier leads to poor interaction. Physician ability to understand societal norms depend on the knowledge of the culture that these norms emanate which also influenced by ability to know the language of that culture lead to good interaction. Respondents perception of care and view of health and wellness have significant impact on the interaction process where having good view for once health have better chance to have good interaction and this shown in that respondents perceive the care received in the hospital. The study recommends that efforts to provide service by considering the demographic and sociocultural characteristics of the patients is vital.