INEQUALITY IN EXPERIENTIAL QUALITY OF CARE FOR INJURED PATIENTS ACROSS FOUR LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES leila.ghalichi@gmail.com

232-06

INEQUALITY IN EXPERIENTIAL QUALITY OF CARE FOR INJURED PATIENTS ACROSS FOUR LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

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United Kingdom

Oral or Poster

Experiential quality of care reflects how well healthcare facilities respond to patients’ non-clinical needs and preferences, evaluating performance beyond clinical quality. Despite its impact on trust, service uptake and health outcomes, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited, particularly regarding its inequalities and determinants.

Patients with moderate to severe injuries admitted to 19 hospitals across Pakistan, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Africa were enrolled and followed until discharge. Experiential quality was assessed using the Inpatient-Patient Assessment of Health Care (I-PAHC). Percentage achievable scores were calculated, and associations with patient, injury, and hospital characteristics were examined using two-level linear regression.

A total of 7,408 patients completed the I-PAHC. The mean age was 32.7 years (SD: 17.9); 23% were female. The mean I-PAHC score was 78% (SD: 15.5), indicating moderate experiential quality. Higher education was associated with better scores, while lower scores were seen in patients with polytrauma, those admitted only to the emergency department, and those treated in urban hospitals. Age, sex, wealth, injury severity, hospital type (secondary or tertiary), and length of stay were not significantly associated. Patients in Pakistan reported lower scores compared to other countries.

Although experiential quality of care was moderate, the notable disparities across facilities, countries, and patient and injury characteristics may contribute to inequities in trust and care-seeking behaviours, and consequently affect health outcomes in injured patients. Addressing these gaps is essential to advancing equitable, patient-centered care in low- and middle-income settings.