Authors:
A. S. Arvind, M. Uma Maheswari
Addresses:
Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:
The pressing demand for healthcare in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, India, necessitates a closer examination of existing healthcare utilization patterns and preferences. Despite the expansion of healthcare services, significant disparities persist, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions. Research was conducted in 38 non-panchayat villages in Tamil Nadu, a southern Indian state, with 1225 respondents. Logistic regression and chi-square tests were used to examine factors influencing treatment preferences, satisfaction levels, and expenditure patterns in rural areas. Results reveal a marked preference for Private healthcare facilities, despite higher expenditure compared to government hospitals. Interestingly, distance to healthcare facilities did not significantly affect satisfaction levels; however, shorter travel times correlated with higher satisfaction. The quality of treatment proved to be a significant factor influencing patient satisfaction in remote villages. Notably, concrete differences in expenditure were observed across different types of healthcare facilities. The findings of this study underscore the importance of perceived quality of care and convenience in shaping healthcare utilisation patterns. In rural areas, policy interventions should focus on improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in remote villages to promote health equity.
Keywords: Patient Satisfaction; Health Expenditure; Quality of Care; Rural Health; Healthcare Preference; Healthcare Accessibility; Health Equity; Government Hospitals.
Received: 24/06/2024, Revised: 11/09/2024, Accepted: 22/10/2024, Published: 03/03/2025
DOI: 10.64091/ATISL.2025.000141
AVE Trends in Intelligent Social Letters, 2025 Vol. 2 No. 1 , Pages: 1-12