THE QUALITY OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION AND ITS ROLE IN PATIENT SATISFACTION IN COUNTRIES IN TRANSITION - THE CASE OF KOSOVO AND NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

Health communication, is a challenge even for countries with very advanced healthcare systems and continues to remain a serious challenge for countries and societies in transition such as Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Objective- To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the level of quality of health communication and patient satisfaction in these two countries and societies in transition.

Materials and methods - We applied the qualitative method and semi-structured interviews as research implementation instruments, and aslo applied the comparative method between the two countries where the research was carried out.

Results - From the findings of this research, we note that there are significant differences in the quality of health communication and patient satisfaction between the two countries, both from the patients and the healthcare professionals who were the focus group of the research.

Conclusions - Deep systemic reforms in the three organizations of the healthcare system by the responsible institutions of both countries as far as this field is concerned, especially in the healthcare system of Kosovo.