Patients’ Perspectives of the Health Worker-patient Relationship in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract Objective: The importance of good interactions between health workers and patients cannot be over-emphasised. It calms troubled patients and allows them access to all pertinent information to ensure good health. However, some patients are harshly treated, compelling them to withhold sensitive and relevant information whiles others are given very little education on preventive health practices, hampering their preventive health practice. This study aimed to assess the health worker-patient relationship from the patients’ perspective and its effect on preventive health practices in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Results: About 70% of patients were satisfied with how they are related to in hospital as 93.8% were allowed to express themselves freely without interruption by the doctor, though 22.7% believed they were not examined by the doctor. 53.1% of the participants were given explanations of their ailments, with 64.4% receiving information on how to prevent complications and recurrences. 70.7% left the consultation with a sense of control over personal health events. Below 50% were educated on intervention procedures, treatment regimens and side effects of their drugs. Generally, patients showed satisfaction with their interactions with health workers.