Is there any Gap between Patient?s Expectations and Level of Satisfaction with Nursing Care?

Patient satisfaction has been viewed as a valid outcome measure of a healthcare delivery system. Satisfaction evaluations reflect the expectations from the patients? point of view and compare with the realities of the care received. A study was carried with the objectives of finding out patient?s expectation and level of satisfaction and their relationship. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 100 purposively selected patients admitted in Tomo Riba State Hospital, Arunachal Pradesh. Demographic data was collected by using an interview schedule; Patients? expectation and satisfaction were measured by rating scale. The results revealed that all (100%) patients had high expectations regarding nursing care. All (100%) patients had high expectations regarding comprehensive care, psychological care, communication and comfort. In the area of elimination, 32% of the patients had low expectation. Most (96%) of the patients were satisfied with psychological care and ethical performance of the nurses. 43% patients were highly satisfied with comprehensive care. 93% of them were satisfied with diet and comfort provided by the nurses. 37% patients expressed their high satisfaction in patient education. The obtained ?r? value (0.072, df 98 at 0.05) implies that there is very weak positive relationship exists between patient?s expectation and level of satisfaction.