Evaluating visit quality in plan of health sector evolution in Iran: A local survey from Tabriz

Background and aims: Quality of visit services is a decisive aspect of patient-physician communication that its inadequacy can negatively influence the diagnosis efficiency. The aim of this study was to survey visit quality at provincial level during plan of health sector evolution in Tabriz. Methods: A sample of 540 patients who referred to the outpatient clinics (Sheikh Al Raeis of Tabriz Province) in North West of Iran was randomly selected. Data were collected by a researcher-made checklist and summarized using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The average visit time was found to be 8.52 minutes, which is significantly lower than the minimum average of 15 minutes approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). The average of waiting time was found to be 101.57 minutes for patients. The results showed that the structural quality was found to be 51.36%, process quality was found to be 62.69% and outcome quality was found to be 50.82%. Conclusion: Visit length was shorter than other developed and developing countries. If the consultation process in health care delivery to patients is incorrect or incomplete, the following process will be without quality and security. This study showed that visit time is short and waiting time is very long.