Assessing patient satisfaction and quality of home health care services: A survey-based study in Hail Region: Saudi Arabia

Alqahtani, Abdulaziz and Alrashidi, Basel Musleh and Alateeq, Mosa Khalid Mosa (2025) Assessing patient satisfaction and quality of home health care services: A survey-based study in Hail Region: Saudi Arabia. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 22 (2). pp. 126-137. ISSN 2582-5542

Background: Home Health Care (HHC) services have emerged as a fundamental component of modern healthcare systems, offering medical and supportive care to patients in their own homes. These services are particularly vital for elderly individuals, chronically ill patients, and those recovering from hospitalization, as they provide personalized, cost-effective care while enhancing patient comfort and reducing hospital admissions. Despite the increasing reliance on HHC services, there remains a need to assess patient satisfaction, and the quality of care provided to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction and the quality of home healthcare services in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia and assessed the correlation between awareness, communication, and patient satisfaction to identify key areas requiring improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among 100 patients receiving home healthcare services in Hail, Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical conditions, duration of care, awareness, communication, and patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was measured using a 5-point Likert scale, while awareness and communication were assessed using a 3-point scale. Statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation, was conducted using SPSS version 28.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The majority of patients receiving home healthcare services were male (63%), with the largest age group being 21–29 years (23%). Diabetes (10%) was the most reported medical condition, and 31% of patients had been receiving care for more than a year. While 82% of participants reported being informed about HHC services, 69% confirmed receiving responses when contacting the institution, highlighting gaps in responsiveness. Patient satisfaction was generally high, with 71% reporting that caregivers treated them with kindness, yet inconsistencies were noted in communication and service reliability. The study found a moderate positive correlation between awareness, communication, and patient satisfaction (r = 0.41, p = 0.048), indicating that effective communication and awareness contribute significantly to improved patient experiences. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while most patients were satisfied with their home healthcare services, gaps in communication and responsiveness need to be addressed. Improving caregiver training, implementing structured follow-up mechanisms, and integrating digital health solutions such as telemonitoring could enhance service quality. Healthcare policymakers should consider expanding awareness initiatives and strengthening service reliability to optimize patient experiences and healthcare outcomes.