Patient Satisfaction and Factors Associated With Anesthesia Services in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Patient satisfaction is the patient's reaction in the form of a “cognitive evaluation” and “emotional response” to the care they receive. It is one of the indicators of patient care outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pooled level of patient satisfaction and factors associated with anesthesia service in Ethiopia. Methods This systematic review and meta‐analysis was done by searching studies from databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Google by using the PEO criteria. The quality of the studies was appraised by the modified Newcastle–Ottawa assessment tool adopted for cross‐sectional studies. Data were extracted by reviewers independently using Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA 16 version statistical software for analysis. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I 2 statistic and a funnel plot and Egger test, respectively. The pooled percentage of satisfaction and its associated factors (POR) with a 95% confidence interval was estimated using random model meta‐analysis. Result Thirteen cross‐sectional studies with a total of 3277 participants were included in this study. The pooled percentage of patient satisfaction was 75% (95% CI: 65%–84%). Having no postoperative pain, no postoperative nausea/vomiting, being done with a regional anesthesia, and having previous anesthesia exposure were significantly associated with the outcome variable, as explained with AOR and 95% CI of 2.34 (1.95–2.73), 2.41 (1.74–3.07), 2.74 (2.27–3.2), and 2.96 (1.4–4.53), respectively. Conclusion According to this study, 75% of patients were satisfied with the anesthesia services they received. Although this suggests a favorable judgment, there is still much room for improvement in perioperative care. The results showed that clinical comfort and the type of anesthetic method employed are the main factors influencing patient satisfaction. Particularly, the absence of postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting, the use of regional anesthesia, and prior anesthesia experience were the determining factors.