PERCEPTION AND SATISFACTION TOWARDS NURSING CARE AMONG PATIENTS IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE

ABSTRACT The focus of this study is to determine the perception and satisfaction towards nursing care among patients in Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers stateTo achieve the purpose of the study, three objectives and research questions were formulated. Literature pertinent to the study was reviewed under the following sub- headings conceptual framework, theoretical framework, empirical studies. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study population comprised of patients in the medical and surgical wards of the hospitalat the time of the study. Sample size of 100 was used for the study and distribution of questionnaire. Percentages for describing level of knowledge were utilized for answering the research questions. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that information they were given was good (71.7%). Overall, out of the total study participants 62% of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of nursing care provided. Furthermore, the factors that affect patient satisfaction with nursing care were shown to include transparency in fee (83.8%), treatment or management (74.2%), time spent in the hospital (82.5%), nurses attitude (75.3%), poor environmental sanitation (70.9%), expectations (84.2%), appearances (77%), and communication (70.5%). Lastly, the areas for improvement were shown to include compassion and caring (79.2%), communication/assertiveness (70.1%), time management/ prioritizing (82.5%), knowledge (63.7%), team orientation (76.4%), skills (70.9%), and treatment (68.7%).Based on the findings, the study recommended that patient suggestions for improving the quality of nursing care should be implemented and annual continuous educational program on patient satisfaction should be mandatory for all nurses