| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 37-42 |
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Caregivers' perception of the attitude and skill of pediatricians attending to children in tertiary hospitals
Josephat M Chinawa1, Herbert A Obu1, Pius C Manyike2, Ikechukwu E Obi3, Awoere T Chinawa4
1 Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria
2 Federal Teaching Hospital Abakiliki, Abakiliki, Nigeria
3 Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria
4 Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Josephat M Chinawa
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), PMB 01129, Enugu - 400 001, Enugu State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1755-6783.168696
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Background: When a pediatrician has the right attitude and displays good clinical skills, it is often associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes among children. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine caregivers' perception of the attitude and skill of pediatricians attending to children in tertiary hospitals. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the pediatric wards of three teaching hospitals from two Southeastern states of Nigeria, namely, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) (both in Enugu State), and Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETA) in Ebonyi State. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the caregivers of children who were admitted in the hospitals during the study period. Results: A total of 227 respondents were involved in this study. Of all the children, 94 (41.4%) were females and 133 (58.6%) were males. Over a third of the caregivers, i.e., 78 (34.4%), did not know the cadre of the doctor who examined them while the majority, i.e., 204 (89.9%), believed that the doctors who examined them were qualified and competent. Moreover, over half of the respondents admitted that the doctors who examined their wards were either very good [83 (36.6%)] or good [84 (37%)]. Conclusion: Pediatricians and doctors who care for children in tertiary hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria are perceived by caregivers to be skillful, caring, and friendly. |
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