Summary: | In this study, the researcher attempts to identify special quality attributes in primary health care services in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge about these attributes will help in improving the quality of primary care services and enhance consumers' and providers' satisfaction. In addition, this study is trying to bridge the quality perception gap between PHC providers and consumers. A descriptive survey design (questionnaire) was used as the research methodology. The researcher developed the questionnaire after extensive revision of related literatures, its validity and reliability was carefully addressed. The study was conducted at the selected 18 Ministry of Health PHC centres at Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Random stratified sampling process were used to select the PHC consumers while, available sampling was used to select the PHC providers. The data is analyzed by using the (SPSS) program. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, t -test and ANOVA were used. The result of the study indicated that PHC providers and consumers in Saudi Arabia perceived the four aspects of quality (structure, technical process, interpersonal process and outcomes) as very important, and they gave the structure aspect the higher importance rate among the others. The three most important PHC attributes are tangible, preventive services and staffing, whereas the least important attribute is the community participation. While a vaccination service is judged by both PHC providers and consumers as "Excellent" services, the Dental clinic, Community participation, Environmental health and Radiology service were judge as "Good" services. The general level of the quality of the PHC services was scored around 70%. "Deficiencies of medical equipments and materials" was the most frequent criteria against which the PHC providers judge the existence of poor quality, whereas, "provider show no courtesy and bad manner when dealing with the consumers" the most frequent criteria against which the PHC consumers judge the poor quality of PHC services. The implications of the findings were discussed, and recommendations were given to rectify certain problems.
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