Analysis of Factors Delaying on Waiting Time for Medical Examination of Outpatient on a Hospital

일 병원의 외래진료대기시간 지연요인 분석

Background : To shorten processing time for variety of medical affairs of the patient at the outpatient clinic of a big hospital is very important to qualify medical care of the patient. Therefore, patient's waiting time for medical examination is often utilized as a strong tool to evaluate patient satisfaction with a medical care provided. We performed this study to investigate factors delaying related with waiting time for medical examination. Methods : The data were collected from June 26 to July 30, 1999. A total 275 case of medical treatment and 5,634 patients who visited outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital were subjected to evaluate the waiting time. The data were analyzed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, $X^2$-test by SPSS Windows 7.5 program. Results : The mean patient's waiting time objectively evaluated ($30.9{\pm}33.9$ min) was longer than that subjectively by patient evaluated ($25.1{\pm}26.2$ min). Patient waiting time objectively evaluated was influenced by the starting time of medical examination, consultation hours, patients arriving time etc, as expected. The time discrepancy between two evaluations was influenced by several causative factors. Regarding the degree of patients accepted waiting time with the medical examination is 20 min. Conclusion : The results show that, besides the starting time of medical examination, consultation hours and patients arriving time, influence the patient's subjective evaluation of waiting time for medical examination and his satisfaction related with the service in the big hospital. In order to improve patient satisfaction related with waiting time for medical examination, it will be effective examination rather than to shorten the real processing time within the consultation room.