Perception of patients’ rights in clinical services among clients attending the outpatient department at the Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background: Ethical principles and patients’ rights should guide all encounters with patients. Failure to observe ethical guidelines can lead to patient dissatisfaction and medical malpractice, and without an appropriate understanding of the patient’s rights, the healthcare team may at times be prone to various tendencies, such as failure to respect patient autonomy, such as acting in a paternalist manner or making clinical decisions on behalf of the patient or family. Another way to do so can occur, including in cases in which not all options, risks, or side effects may be appropriately disclosed. This study explored the perceptions of patients’ rights to clinical services among clients attending the outpatient department at the Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study design that employed qualitative methods for data collection. The study was carried out among 34 clients attending the outpatient department at Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania: the medical unit, the Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) unit, the gynaecology unit, and the TB and leprosy unit. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants, while 14 participants participated in group discussions. The data were analysed via inductive thematic analysis, which allowed the data to identify and determine the themes in this study, which were then presented in the form of extracts or quotes. Nvivo 12 software was used to support the data analysis. Results: The majority of the participants perceived that patients' rights were well implemented in health facilities and that they were satisfied with them. The minority stated that they are not satisfied with patients' rights because of various challenges that cause their rights to be poorly implemented. The main reasons for the poor implementation and dissatisfaction suggested were corruption in health facilities, the beating of patients, wastage of time while in health care facilities, poor communication with some health care providers, a shortage of medical equipment and healthcare providers, gaps in existing regulations, and follow-up. Conclusion: To enhance satisfaction with patients' rights, there is a need for more sensitization of patients' rights through the client's service charter for health facilities and a relevant health policy to guide the implementation of patients' rights.