Exploring Differences in Elderly Satisfaction with Outpatient Services at Suak Ribee and Meutulang Community Health Centers

Abstract

Background: Elderly individuals are vulnerable groups with high morbidity and mortality rates. Some of them suffer from degenerative diseases that are chronic in nature, thus requiring high-quality healthcare services. As preliminary data collected through interviews with 10 elderly patients revealed, 3 individuals expressed dissatisfaction with healthcare services due to long waiting times for medication collection. Additionally, 3 individuals reported dissatisfaction with the services provided by healthcare personnel at the Community Health Center. This study aims to demonstrate the differences in the level of satisfaction among elderly patients in outpatient care between the general clinic and the elderly clinic at the Community Health Center. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design. The research was conducted in July 2023 with a sample size of 148 elderly individuals. The data was collected through interviews with the elderly who visited the Community Health Center. Two Community Health Centers were included as research sites: Meutulang Community Health Center to assess satisfaction with healthcare services at the general clinic, and Suak Ribee Community Health Center to assess satisfaction with healthcare services at the elderly clinic. Results: The study findings indicated that the average patient satisfaction score at the elderly clinic was 28.07, whereas the average patient satisfaction score at the general clinic was 27.17. Statistical testing revealed a p-value of 0.024. Conclusion: This study concludes that there is a difference in the level of satisfaction among elderly patients who utilize outpatient healthcare services at the elderly clinic and those at the general clinic of the Community Health Center. It is recommended that Community Health Centers without an elderly clinic unit as part of their outpatient services should consider providing such services, thereby focusing more on the elderly population.