PATIENTS’ RIGHTS CHARTER ADOPTION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN MBAGATHI HOSPITAL, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
PATIENTS’ RIGHTS CHARTER ADOPTION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN MBAGATHI HOSPITAL, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Wango’mbe Muthoni Irene Thuo - Student, Master of Science in Health Management in the School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Peter Kithuka - Lecturer, School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Kenneth Rucha - Lecturer, School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Since 1946, health has been recognized as a basic human right in the World Health Organization’s Constitution and it is the organization’s purpose for all. While progress has been made in achieving the right to health, there are still substantial gaps. There are no documented studies that illustrate the factors that influence healthcare professionals' adoption of the 2013 Patients' Rights Charter in Kenya, specifically in the study area. This study's main goal was to investigate the factors that influence healthcare professionals at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya, to adopt the Patients' Rights Charter of 2013. This study therefore examined the determinants of the adoption of the Patients' Rights Charter among healthcare professionals at Mbagathi Hospital. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies in a descriptive cross-sectional research design were used for data collection, whereby a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the selected healthcare professionals at Mbagathi Hospital. The stratified sampling method from Yamane's (1967) was used to select the desired sample in each of the six cadres of healthcare professionals. The study targeted 186 healthcare professionals who were chosen purposively. The results indicated that the average of the female respondents was 96 (51.6%), respondents aged 20–30 had 101 (54.3%), and medical doctors had 37 (19.9%) adopted patients’ rights charter in public health facilities. The respondents’ level of education was, however, statistically significant with a p-value of 0.002. Majority 174 (93.5%) of the respondents were aware that the Kenyan constitution contains a Patients’ Rights Charter. While 135 (72.6%) said there were challenges that hindered the full adoption of the patients’ rights, which included the large number of patients in the facility, 112 (61%), 34 (18%) as a lack of equipment and 10 (5%) as incompetent staff in the facility. Most of the health care system factors were statistically significant such as workload (P = 0.014), workload effect (P=0.052), confidential handling of patient/client communications and records (P = 0.003), information provided to patients and clients (P = 0.007), adequate workspace (P = 0.007), a copy of patients' rights and responsibilities offered to patients (P = 0.000), parties involved in the disputes (P =0.003), hospital investigated for medical legal issues (P = 0.050), issues resolution (P = 0.018), and documentation on the process of implementing the Kenyan Charter for Patients' Rights (P = 0.00), thus correlated with the adoption of the Patient Rights Charter. The study thus concludes that respondents appeared to be familiar with the patients' rights, but they faced several obstacles that prevented them from completely embracing the Patient's Rights Charter at the public hospital. Hence, recommend that, in order to safeguard patients' legal rights and deliver higher-quality care to them and their families, legislators and health care administrators have a thorough awareness of healthcare hurdles. The government should make sure that all healthcare professionals have the tools and information required.
