REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH NURSING CARE QUALITY IN ALBANIA
Keywords:
patient satisfaction, nursing care, regional disparities, health system performance, benchmarkingAbstract
This study investigates patient satisfaction with nursing care in six regional hospitals in Albania using the validated Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ). The findings reveal marked regional disparities, with satisfaction rates ranging from 26.8% in Fier to 77.5% in Lezhë. Higher satisfaction was observed in hospitals with better nurse-patient ratios and organizational practices, while lower scores reflected systemic challenges including understaffing and limited oversight. Sociodemographic differences also emerged, with lower satisfaction reported among patients with higher education, recent hospitalizations, or poor self-rated health. These insights underscore the critical need to embed patient feedback into national performance monitoring systems. Benchmarking satisfaction across institutions can support targeted reforms, enhance nursing quality, and promote equitable healthcare delivery. The study highlights the role of structured satisfaction assessments as tools for governance and accountability in transitional health systems.Downloads
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