The purpose of this work is to apply Game theory approach to determine patients’
preferences of healthcare facilities for quality healthcare in Akwa Ibom State. Cross-sectional descriptive study and
purposive sampling technique were adopted in order to collect the relevant
data. Factors influencing patients’ preferences of health care facilities
between public and private hospitals in Akwa Ibom State were assessed using a
set of questionnaires which were distributed to 9976 patients in University of Uyo
Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. A two-person zero sum game
theory approach was applied. Perception of quality healthcare services received
by respondent’s preferred facilities between public and private hospitals was examined. Also the reasons for patients’
persistence of their preferred facilities were evaluated using questionnaire.
The optimal strategy and the value of the game were determined using the
factors influencing patients’ preferences of healthcare facilities, and analysed
with two-person-zero-sum game. Facility that gives their clients the best satisfaction was identified. The data collected through questionnaire
were analysed using the rules of dominance in a two-person-
References
[1]
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF Macro (2009) Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2008. National Population Commission and ICF Macro, Abuja.
[2]
Dzator, J. and Asafu, J. (2004) A Study of Malaria Care Providers Choice in Ghana. Health Policy, 69, 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2004.01.005
[3]
Nonvignon, J., Aikens, M.K., Chinbuah, M.A, Abbey, M., Gyapong, M., Garshong, B.N., Fia, S. and Gyapong, J. (2010) Treatment Choices for Fevers in Children Under-Five Years in a Rural Ghanaian. Malaria Journal, 9, Article No 188. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-188
[4]
Tembon, A.C. (1996) Health Care Provider Choice: The North West Province of Cameroon. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 11, 53-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1751(199601)11:1%3C53::AID-HPM413%3E3.0.CO;2-A
[5]
Rutebemberwa, E., Pariyo, G., Peterson, S., Tomson, G. and Kallander, K. (2009) Utilization of Public or Private Health Care Providers by Febrile Children after User Fee Removal in Uganda. Malaria Journal, 8, Article No. 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-45
[6]
Young, G.J., Meterko, M. and Desai, K.R. (2000) Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care: Effects of Demographic and Institutional Characteristics. Medical Care, 38, 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-200003000-00009
[7]
Aiken, L.H., Sloane, D., Griffiths, P., Rafferty, A.M., Bruyneel, L., McHugh, M. and Sermeus, W. (2007) Nursing Skill Mix in European Hospitals: Cross Sectional Study of the Association with Mortality, Patients Ratings and Quality of Care. BMJ Safety and Quality, 26, 559-568. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2016-005567
[8]
Chukmaitov, A., Harless, D.W., Bazzoli, G.J., Carretta, H.J. and Siangphoe, U. (2015) Delivery System Characteristics and Their Association with Quality and Costs of Care: Implications for Accountable Care Organizations. Health Care Management Review, 40, 92-103. https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0000000000000014
[9]
Gulmez, M. (2005) Satisfaction Measurement in Health Service and an Application to the Clinic for Out-Patient in Cumhuriyet University Hospital. Cumhuriyet University Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 6, 147-169.
[10]
Daniel, O.J. (2013) Patient Satisfaction with Health Services at the Out-patient Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.4314/njcm.v5i1.2
[11]
Williams, H.A. and Jones, C.O. (2004) A Critical Review of Behavioral Issues Related to Malaria Control in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Contributions Have Social Scientists Made? Social Science & Medicine, 59, 501-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.11.010
[12]
Ray, T.K., Pandav, C.S., Anand, K., Kapoor, S.K. and Dwivedi, S.N. (2002) Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Healthcare in a North India Village. National Medical Journal of India, 15, 257-260.
[13]
Sheikha, M.A. and Khan, F.R. (2017) Factors Influencing the Preference of Private Hospitals to Public Hospitals in Oman. Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Research, 3, 67-77. https://doi.org/10.18510/ijmier.2017.323
[14]
Nketiah-Amponsah, E. and Hiemenz, U. (2009) Determinants of Consumer Satisfaction of Health Care in Ghana: Does Choice of Health Care Provider Matter? Global Journal of Health Science, 2, 50-61. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v1n2p50
[15]
Uchendu, O.C., Ilesanmi, O.S. and Olumide, A.E. (2013) Factors Influencing the Choice of Health Care Providing Facility among Workers in a Local Government Secretariat in South Western Nigeria. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, 11, 87-95.
[16]
Young, G.J. (2018) Patient Satisfaction with Hospital Care: Effects of Demographic and Institutional Characteristics. Medical Care, 38, 325-340. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-200003000-00009
[17]
Forgó, F. (2004) John von Neumann’s Contribution to Modern Game Theory. Acta Oeconomica, 54, 73-84. https://doi.org/10.1556/aoecon.54.2004.1.5