Patient Satisfaction with Rehabilitation Services in Secondary Care Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality and is particularly important in rehabilitation services, where sustained patient engagement, communication, and service organization influence treatment adherence and outcomes. Evidence on patient satisfaction with rehabilitation services in secondary care hospitals in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. Objective: To assess the level of patient satisfaction with rehabilitation services in secondary care hospitals in Lahore and to identify service-related factors associated with overall satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 170 adult patients receiving rehabilitation services in selected secondary care hospitals in Lahore. Patient satisfaction was measured using a structured questionnaire covering therapist behavior, communication, treatment effectiveness, waiting time, environment, and facility resources, rated on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics summarized satisfaction levels, while chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations between patient characteristics, service domains, and overall satisfaction. Results: Overall, 68.2% of patients reported satisfaction with rehabilitation services. The highest satisfaction was observed for therapist behavior (74.1%) and communication (70.6%), whereas waiting time (55.9%) and facility resources (58.2%) received comparatively lower ratings. In adjusted analyses, positive therapist behavior (adjusted OR 3.21; 95% CI 1.61–6.42), effective communication (adjusted OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.29–4.78), and shorter waiting time (adjusted OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.02–3.68) were independently associated with overall satisfaction. Conclusion: Most patients were satisfied with rehabilitation services in secondary care hospitals in Lahore; however, organizational and infrastructural factors, particularly waiting time and resource availability, require improvement to enhance patient-centered care.