The Effect of Service Quality on Patient Satisfaction, Happiness, and Loyalty in Primary Healthcare Centers in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The United Arab Emirates has proven its lead position in modern healthcare delivery and is considered an important medical tourism destination in the region. Government and public institutions have the opportunity to distinguish themselves in a competitive industry by providing outstanding and superior healthcare services. Enhancing patient care has become a paramount focus for all healthcare service providers, aiming to achieve high levels of patient satisfaction as their ultimate goal. Aim: The study aimed to determine the level of satisfaction, happiness, and loyalty among patients attending primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) and finding the factors that lead to improved patient satisfaction. Method: A self-administered survey was used to conduct this cross-sectional study in six main PHCCs that covers different Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and included 350 participants. Results: The study revealed that 82% of patients reported feeling happy after receiving care at the center, while 86% expressed high satisfaction with the primary healthcare (PHC) services. Additionally, 81% of patients demonstrated loyalty by maintaining trust in the PHC staff and returning to the center for future medical care. A strong correlation was observed between patient satisfaction and their level of happiness with the healthcare services provided, which, in turn, was significantly linked to loyalty, reinforcing trust and preference for future care. Conclusion: Using data from this study as a baseline to improve services in future is crucial since the patient’s perspectives and their voices are increasingly influential in enhancing health care delivery system.