Healthcare in Transition: Where Patient Choices and Satisfaction Drive Success
Purpose: The healthcare sector, especially in Kerala, is experiencing significant transformations driven by escalating patient expectations. Patient satisfaction has become a cornerstone of healthcare quality assessment, influencing clinical effectiveness profoundly. Modern private hospitals in Kerala have embraced technological advancements to elevate service standards and compete fiercely. Design/Methodology/Approach: A study in Thrissur examines patient satisfaction in private medical colleges, revealing preferences among male patients aged 41-60 with higher incomes and education levels. They prioritize timely service, cleanliness, and accurate diagnosis. Variables like length of stay, career, marital status, and education shape patient perceptions. Empirical methods, including statistical analysis, elucidate these findings, highlighting the evolving dynamics of patient expectations and healthcare delivery in Kerala. Findings: Research underscores patient satisfaction, disease severity, treatment protocols, and outcomes as critical quality indicators. Practical Implications: Despite Kerala's robust healthcare infrastructure, retaining skilled professionals poses challenges due to migration trends. Thrissur emerges as a pivotal healthcare hub, fostering infrastructure growth. Originality/Value: Patients now demand superior services alongside medical care, leading to dilemmas in choosing between public and private healthcare facilities.