Determination of patient satisfaction level admitted to primary care unit and the job satisfaction of physicians? working in primary care in adana

Introduction and Aim: The aim of this study was to find the satisfaction levels of patients admitting to primary care using EUROPEP and the job satisfaction of primary care physicians using Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale before the implementation of family practice and on the 12th month of implementation in Adana.Material and Methods: The health centers/family practices were grouped as low, moderate and high socioeconomic status regarding the region in Adana city center. One health center/family practice was chosen from each region and EUROPEP Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire with 23 items was completed by at least 93 patients randomly selected. The questionnaires were re-completed in the same centers on the 12th month of the implementation of family practice. (may 2009) The mean scores of EUROPEP were compared before and after the implementation. The universe was all primary care physicians in Adana city center. The sample was selected randomly. Physicians completed Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale face-to-face. These physicians re-completed the questionnaires again on the 12th month of the implementation of family practice.Results: Total 588 patients (295 in year 2008 and 293 in year 2009) were enrolled. The EUROPEP scores improved significantly after the implementation of family practice. The highest improvement was in item; `physician knows what he/she did/said previously? (3,02±1,38 vs. 4,20±1,18), `physician prepares the patient about what to expect from hospital specialist or hospital? (3,04±1,30 vs. 4,21±1,10), `availability of physician for phone calls? (2,98±1,61 vs. 3,99±1,31). The scores of physicians for Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale increased in 5 items from 2008 to 2009 whereas decreased in 3 items. The highest increase was in item `salary? and the highest decrease was in item `occupying me always?. There was increase in internal, external, and general satisfaction mean scores however only the increase in the external satisfaction score was significant.Conclusion: It is inevitable to extend family practice units in order to improve patient satisfaction and family medicine services. It is clear that improvement of health care services delivery systems will contribute to the increase in both patient and physician satisfactions in Turkey