Comparison of Hospitalized Adolescent's Satisfaction of Clinical Services and Physical Environment in Children and Adult's Wards in Isfahan in 2009

Adolescence is a crucial juncture in the evolution. The hospitalization process could have harmful effects on the health of an adolescent’s mind and body. Since recently, patient satisfaction survey has been considered as one part of the annual assessment, the present study was performed to compare the hospitalized adolescent's satisfaction of clinical services and physical environment in children and adults’ wards in Isfahan.
This cross-sectional and descriptive analytical study was conducted by sampling of 200 adolescents aged 10-19, discharged from adults and children's wards in general hospitals of Isfahan in 2009. Sampling was conducted through the available method and for carrying out the research, a standard questionnaire was used. Demographic information and information related to satisfaction of nursing, medical, other personnel, facilities and quality of environment were collected. Content validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.85) were used to confirm the validity and reliability of the tool, respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and independent t-test. There was no significant relationship between age and satisfaction of nursing, medical, other staff services, and the environment. However, there was a significant relationship between gender and satisfaction of medical services; the mean satisfaction score of medical services in girls was more than that in boys, and the difference was significant.
Most admitted adolescents’ satisfaction of clinical services and physical environment belonged to high category (80-100). Adolescents admitted in children’s ward had a higher satisfaction of nursing care (P = 0.005) and environment (P = 0.04) than those admitted in adults’ ward; this difference was statistically significant. In contrast, satisfaction of medical services (P = 0.073) and other personnel (P = 0.09) in the adolescents hospitalized in adults and children’s wards were not statistically significant. A total of 87% of young adults who were hospitalized in adults’ ward and 3.35% of teens who were hospitalized in children’s ward preferred to be admitted in adolescents’ ward. Furthermore, the relationship of age and gender with satisfaction of cervices was assessed. There was no significant relationship between age and satisfaction of nursing, medicine, other staff services and environment. However, there was a significant relationship between gender and satisfaction of medical services; the mean satisfaction score of medical services in girls was higher than in boys, and the difference was significant.
The results of this study showed that adolescents were more satisfied of the environment and nursing services provided in children’s ward than those in adults’ ward. Adolescents also expressed the need for a special ward for hospitalization of adolescents. It is suggested that wherever allocation of separate sections for young people is not possible, necessary facilities should be provided for young children in children’s wards; also, personnel and physicians should be trained on how to communicate and deal with teenagers as well as the changes needed in service providing.