Local Accreditation in Outpatient Care as an Alternative to Attract Foreign Patients to Colombian Medical Travel: A Case Study in the City of Barranquilla

Abstract

This article analyzes the contribution of the accreditation in outpatient care of the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification in the perception of satisfaction of patients treated in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia). Two groups of 67 participants underwent outpatient procedures at an accredited and non-accredited clinic. A quasi-experimental design based on a pre-test, post-test, and a focus group was applied to both groups. A t-test and a Tau Kendall correlation coefficient were applied. It was found that the patients treated in the accredited clinic were more satisfied in the time of consultation received, follow-up care, and the communication between them with their physicians and nurses. It was also found that each group had different preferences in the care received. This study contributes to knowing more about Colombian medical travel from case studies.