Operations-oriented strategies and patient satisfaction: the mediating effect of service experience

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the direct and indirect effects of perceived provider professionalism and service recovery in enhancing patient satisfaction in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach This study used a survey method to investigate satisfaction among health-care consumers. This study used data collected from 210 health-care consumers to empirically test the hypotheses via structural equation modeling Findings This study found that service recovery has a significant direct effect on patient satisfaction. Though this study did not find perceived provider professionalism to have a direct effect on patient satisfaction, it found an indirect effect in the relationship via service experience. Thus, service experience fully/completely mediates the relationship between perceived provider professionalism and patient satisfaction, while partially mediating the significant relationship between service recovery and patient satisfaction. Originality/value The results further underscore the need for health-care organizations in developing countries to focus on mindfully developing operations-oriented strategies that lead to the delivery of memorable service experiences for patients.