Table 1
Demographics.
| Variable | Participants (n%) |
|---|---|
| Baseline Demographics | |
| Age < 39 | 11 (28.2%) |
| Age 40–55 | 14 (35.8%) |
| Age 56–70 | 10 (25.6%) |
| Age > 71 | 4 (10.2%) |
| Age Range | 27–80 |
| Patient | 27 (67.5%) |
| Caregiver | 13 (32.5%) |
| First visit to KBTH | 6 (15%) |
| Returning visit to KBTH | 34 (85%) |
| Regional Demographics | |
| Accra | 31 (77.5%) |
| Central | 7 (17.5%) |
| Western | 1 (2.5%) |
| Eastern | 1 (2.5%) |
Figure 1
Patient Journey Korle-Bu Medicine OPD.
Table 2
Positive Clinical Experiences.
| Positive Clinical Experience: Patient Experience | N = 40 (n%) |
|---|---|
| Comprehends medical plan | 31 (77.5%) |
| Confident carrying out medical plan | 23 (57.5%) |
| Confident asking questions | 36 (90%) |
| Confident expressing medical concerns | 20 (50%) |
| Reassured by care | 32 (80%) |
| Felt listened to | 35 (87.5%) |
| Understands provider clearly | 32 (80%) |
Table 3
Patient Explanations for Seeking Care at Korle-Bu.
| Reasons for choosing/returning to Korle-Bu | Participant Quotes |
|---|---|
| Large size of institution and advanced technology | “It’s a big institution so you can be transferred to other departments and subspecialists throughout the hospital.” (Interview 5) |
| “She [the patient] believes, so far, this is the biggest hospital we have in where she can get qualified doctors to take care of her. Before we got here, everyone was advising us to not go to any herbalists. She insisted that we should come here [Korle-Bu] first. And she hasn’t seen the herbalist since.” (Interview 21, patient caretaker) | |
| Top physicians and availability of specialists | “I love their service. When it comes to West Africa and Nigeria, [Korle-Bu] gives adequate healthcare.” (Interview 18) |
| “Oh yeah, the best doctors in the country are here. That’s why I keep coming back here.” (Interview 17) | |
| “There are good Doctors and specialists and if you are lucky enough to meet them its good because they treat you well and by God’s grace you will be well.” (Interview 7) | |
| Positive patient outcomes | “She [the patient] says if the doctor will take good care of her, she will always come.” (Interview 31, patient caretaker) |
| “I like the way the service is. They diagnose you and find out what is wrong and take care of you.” (Interview 27) | |
| Korle Bu as “last stop” | “If I cannot [obtain care] at Korle Bu, then I should close my coffin.” (Interview 5) |
| “Wherever you go, even private hospitals, you always end up being referred back here [to Korle-Bu] anyway.” (Interview 14) | |
| “Here [Korle-Bu] is the last stop, if they can’t help you here then you are going to be dead.” (Interview 5) |