A Study of Patients’ and Relatives’ Experiences with Neurological Care at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Neurological disorders when measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years; an estimate of individuals who are ill or die in each age-sex group and location is 8,079,967 people in Western Sub-Saharan Africa. Patients and their relatives are often faced with challenges when seeking neurological care. This study examined patients’ and relatives’ experiences with adult neurology care services in a Nigerian hospital.

Methods: The study's target subject was the university college hospital. Patients and their family members receiving care at the neurology department of the university college hospital were included in the target population. 26 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted with patients and their family members to collect information. Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti (Version 6.2). Eight domains were used to describe experiences with health care services, including hospital admission, the relationship between health workers and patients, the sharing of treatment information, referral services, support services like laboratory services, post-hospital rehabilitation programmes, family member involvement in treatment, and treatment costs.

Results: Generally, participants’ experiences of care were both positive and negative. Experience with care was found to determine satisfaction which influenced treatment outcomes.

Conclusion: The study recommended the need for more training on effective management of health worker/patient relationship as a major determinant of positive experience and satisfaction with care.