Factors influencing non-adherence to referral system among patients attending Bugando medical centre-Tanzania
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
A functioning referral system is a critical part of an appropriate health care delivery system. non adherence to a referral system produces negative effects on the actual performance of referral hospitals and rational use of scarce resources as well as skills of specialists and consultants. The aim of this study was to find out the factors that many influence non adherence to the normal referral system among patients attending Bugando Medical center (BMC). A cross sectional survey was conducted among 363 patients at Bugando. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, data referral pattern, patients` knowledge and participation on referral system. A checklist was used to collect information on background characteristics from facilities referring patients to BMC. About half of the patients (51%) did not adhere to the referral system. Majority of the patients were referred by clinicians (90.5%) and 8.45 by nurses. Of those referred 28.7% delayed to report to the BMC. Many of the patients (38.7) were inappropriately referred. Patients coming from more than 50 kilometers were more likely to adhere to the referral system. (P value 0.5). Tendency to bypass was found to be associated with better quality of care severity of disease (p value<0.05). Interestingly, those who perceived that cost.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF R727.5.T34H3)
Keywords
Medical referral, Patients, Bugando
Citation
Hamis, E.F(2006) Factors influencing non-adherence to referral system among patients attending Bugando medical centre-Tanzania.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.