Structural equation modelling : An application in the health sector

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a statistical method that emerged as a result of assembling and synthezing the confirmative factor analysis, path analysis and regression analysis in a model. In this respect, factor, canonic correlation, multivariate variance and covariance, multi regression and path analysis are also considered the special conditions of SEM. Additionally, the most important difference that separates SEM from these analysis is that it is more convenient to use it as confirmative rather than explicatory. In this thesis study, structural equation modelling was approached and analysed with all of its components in detail.It is aimed to determine a theoretical model that would explain the satisfaction of the hospital patients within the scope of the study. In accordance with this purpose, primarily the concepts of service quality and patient satisfaction were approached together with their theoretical infrastructures and then the hypothesis that were determined within the scope of the theoretical model and study were analysed by using the structural equation modelling. As a result of the study, the statistical validity of the theoretical model that was suggested in relation with the patient satisfaction was determined and two of the hypothesis were accepted.