Results of subjective evaluation of the satisfaction of parents of newborns with the attitude of medical staff

Background. Under current conditions, when a reduction in the birth rate in the Russian Federation becomes a problem of national security of the state, improving the quality of medical care for newborns becomes an important strategic task facing the healthcare service.

Aim. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction of parents of newborns with the attitude of medical personnel to children in healthcare facilities in St. Petersburg.

Materials and methods. An anonymous survey of 4467 mothers of newborns, who received medical care within the compulsory medical insurance in healthcare facilities in St. Petersburg in 2019, was conducted using a random sampling technique. The sample’s representativeness was tested by the method of Professor A.M. Merkova, and the error in the study did not exceed 3.5% in obstetric care institutions, 4% in children’s multi-specialty hospitals, and 3% in children’s polyclinics (departments).

Results. In general, 74.1% of mothers were completely satisfied with the attitude of doctors toward newborns in obstetric care organizations, 78.2% of mothers in multi-specialty hospitals, and 70.5% of mothers in children’s polyclinics (departments). The proportion of mothers who were completely satisfied with the attitude of the nursing staff to newborns was 51.7% in obstetric care organizations, 52.4% in multi-specialty hospitals, and 76.0% in children’s polyclinics (departments). When assessing the human and professional qualities of doctors in the obstetric care organizations, the average score was 4.45 ± 0.09, which in children’s multi-specialty hospitals was 4.53 ± 0.10, and that of the doctors of children’s polyclinics (departments) was 4.61 ± 0.08 points. The average score determined by mothers of the human and professional qualities of the nursing staff in obstetric care organizations was 4.22 ± 0.08 that in multi-specialty hospitals was 4.16 ± 0.09, and that of the nursing staff in children’s polyclinics (departments) was 4.63 ± 0.09 points.

Conclusion. The level of satisfaction with the attitude of medical personnel toward newborns was within the target value established by the Territorial program of state guarantees (70%), and the level of satisfaction with the attitude of the nursing staff corresponded to the target value only in children’s polyclinics (departments).