Assessment of Health Care Quality in Chronic Neurological Diseases: Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the quality of care in chronic neurological diseases, and to analyze the correlation between patients’ dependency and the quality of care. Methods: The study is designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional one. It was conducted among 184 patients who had visited neurology clinics of Ataturk University, Turkey, from March 2014 to July 2014. Data was collected by using a Self-made questionnaire, PACIC (Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care) and Barthell Index (BI). For data evaluation, percentage distribution, mean, independent samples t test, variance analysis and Pears on correlation analysis were utilized. Results: Overall mean score of PACIC scale was found to be 3.05 ± 0.57. The lowest mean score was obtained in follow-up/coordination subscale (2.73 ± 0.86) among sub-scales of the scale, the highest mean score was found to be in patient activation subscale (3.20 ± 0.74). The mean score for BI was 66.60 ± 38.22. The mean score of PACIC varied significantly according to age, marital status, education, disease diagnosis, co morbid conditions and hospitalization duration and hospital experience. Conclusion: It was found that the satisfaction of patients in terms of chronic disease is at a moderate level, and the highest score was taken in the patient activation subscale, and the lowest score was taken in the follow-up subscale. Moreover, the quality of health care perceptions of independent patients was better.