IMPACT OF STAFF ATTITUDE ON PATRONAGE
ABSTRACT
This study focused on the impact of staff attitude on patronage (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital, Bauchi). The study’s entire population includes 100 staff members from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi as well as 100 patients.
The researcher employed questionnaires to collect data. The descriptive survey research design was used for this investigation. The survey used 133 respondents made up of doctors, nurses, male patients, and female patients. The acquired data were displayed in tables and analysed with simple percentages and frequencies.
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study.
Doctors and nurses’ attitudes towards patient safety have a substantial impact on hospital safety climates and medical error rates. In professional clinics, hospitals, and other working settings, a bad attitude can have an impact on how physicians and other healthcare professionals treat patients.
According to Corrigan et al. and Wahl, most primary care physicians repress negative attitudes. Furthermore, even productive physicians with small unfavourable attitudes can engage in undesirable behaviour such as discrimination.
A quantitative survey on patient safety climate attitudes was conducted in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, Bauchi state, and found that doctors and nurses generally have more positive attitudes towards the dimensions of hospital safety climate and teamwork and less positive attitudes towards the dimensions of hospital working conditions and the quality of management support.
The World Health Organization’s Constitution recognises health as a fundamental human right, stating that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of every human being’s fundamental rights, regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social status.
Patient satisfaction with the services provided is one of the most essential goals of medical care, which can have a significant impact on patients’ health status. Deprivation of patients’ rights causes significant stress for patients and families, and it may harm the health system’s social esteem.
Caring is essential in nursing (Grey, 2008:169). Finfgeld-Connett (2008:198) defines care as an interpersonal process that involves expert nursing, interpersonal sensitivity, and intimate relationships. Nursing encompasses both technical (medical) and emotional components of care.
Brilowski and Wendler (2005:642) recognise both emotional and technical components of caring, citing traits such as attitudes, behaviours, relationships, acceptance, and variety.
The opposite of caring is uncaring. Wiman and Wikblad (2004:427) define uncaring characteristics as being disinterested, insensitive, cold, and inhuman.
Providing high-quality treatment entails doing the right thing at the right time while also improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities (Uys and Naidoo, 2004). Unfortunately, this does not always occur.
Some researches found that patients were dissatisfied with the quality of care they received (Uys & Naidoo, 2004) and with unsympathetic nurses (Wiman & Wikblad, 2004:428).
Other researchers discovered poor care for specialised conditions such as HIV (Van Dyk, 2007:50) and Hepatitis C (Frazer et al., 2010:597), which was linked to bad health professional attitudes.
Nurses must have a positive attitude towards patients and their care. Ajzen defines attitudes as “latent hypothetical characteristics that are inferred from external observable cues” (2005:23). Health workers’ attitudes influence conduct, care quality, and health outcomes (Dias et al., 2012).
Negative attitudes impair care for older patients (Jacelon, 2002:232) and other vulnerable patients, such as those with Hepatitis C (Frazer et al., 2010). This study investigated the effect of staff attitudes on patronage in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi, Bauchi state.
Statement of the Problem
This hospital got concerns concerning worker attitudes and substandard nursing treatment. The attitudes of nurses required to be investigated in order to develop methods to increase care quality and address patient problems.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study’s aims are:
To investigate staff attitudes in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi state.
To determine the attitudes and behaviours of nurses towards patient care from the nurses’ perspective.
To determine the attitudes and behaviours of nurses towards patient care from the patients’ perspective.
To determine the elements that contribute to staff attitudes towards patient care in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi state.
RESEARCH QUESTION:
Are there any attitudes among the workers at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi State?
Are there attitudes and behaviours of nurses towards patient care from their perspective?
Are nurses’ attitudes and behaviours towards patient care patient-centered?
What variables influence the attitudes of staff at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi state, towards patient care?
Research Hypotheses
To ensure the study’s success, the researcher developed the following research hypotheses:
H0: There is no staff attitude at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi state.
H1: There is an attitude among the workers of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi State.
H02: There are no elements that contribute to the staff’s attitude towards patient care at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi state.
H2: There are elements that contribute to the staff’s attitude towards patient care at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi state.
Significance of the Study
The study will have a substantial impact on students, the Ministry of Health, and the broader public. The study will provide a thorough understanding of the impact of worker attitudes on patronage.
The study will provide a solution to healthcare staff’ bad attitudes towards patients. The paper will also act as a resource for future researchers working on this area.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study analyses the impact of staff attitude on patronage. The trial would be limited to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Hospital in Bauchi, Bauchi state. The researcher faces various constraints that limit the scope of the investigation;
a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The researcher has insufficient research material, which limits the investigation.
b) TIME: The study’s time frame does not allow for broader coverage because the researcher must balance other academic activities and examinations with the study.
1.7 Definition of Terms
ATTITUDE: A consistent manner of thinking or feeling about something.
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial assistance that one organisation or individual bestows on another.
HEALTHWORKER: A community health worker (CHW) is a community person who has been chosen by community members or organisations to give basic health and medical care to their community. They are capable of delivering preventative, promotional, and rehabilitation treatment to these communities.
1.8 Organisation of the Study
This research study is organised into five chapters for simple understanding, as follows:
The first chapter is concerned with the introduction, which includes the (overview of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, research question, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms, and the study’s historical context.
The second chapter focuses on the theoretical framework that underpins the study, as well as a review of relevant literature. Chapter three discusses the research design and technique used in the study.
Chapter four focuses on data gathering, analysis, and presenting of findings. Chapter 5 provides a summary, conclusion, and suggestions from the study.