Perceptions of patient health care in Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital: a contribution to medical anthropology

Abstract

We carried out on study under then title “Perception of patient healthcare in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital: a contribution to Medical Anthropology”. Given that a good number of people complain about the nature of healthcare provided to them in Baptist hospitals, it seems the mission statement of the Cameroon Baptist convention health service is not followed. To the study, we asked ourselves; How is patient health care in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital? We proposed that Patient health care in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital is more of scientific excellence and not the provision of quality care to patients as its mission statement provides. The main objective of this research is to explore the nature of patient healthcare in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital. We explored our study with a qualitative data collection approach and we used multiple research techniques. We had documentary research, in-depth interviews, life histories and observation as research techniques. We also searched internet websites to collect information in relation to our study. We used two theories to interpret our work. Theories used were structural functionalism and symbolic interactionism. We used tape recorders during interviews and collected information which were later transcribed manually. Our study made us to understand that factors like high cost of drugs, government policies on non-governmental health services, patient behaviors, and educational levels of the health personnel affect the quality of care offered to patients. Our study reveals that personnel in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital lack in meeting patient expectations. Patients express the needs for attention by health staff and amendments in staff behaviors. The study was carried out in Etoug-Ebe Baptist hospital, Yaounde. The focus of our study was on healthcare and based in the field of Medical Anthropology.