Patient Satisfaction and Its Determinants in Outpatient Clinics of Ministry of Health Maternal and Child Hospitals in Saudi Arabia: A Survey Analysis

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality, influencing patient adherence, health outcomes, and service utilization. This study evaluated patient-satisfaction in outpatient maternity and child hospitals, considering demographic factors such as age, gender, and regional differences. Findings were compared with international healthcare systems to identify strengths and areas for improvement. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated electronic questionnaire distributed to patients attending outpatient maternal and child clinics. Data from 14 718 respondents were analyzed to assess satisfaction across service domains and identify demographic determinants. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, correlation, and regression to explore associations between satisfaction scores and gender, age, and regional differences. A total of 14 718 participant surveys were analyzed of which 72.8% were females. The mean age was 22.4 ± 16.5 years, with 46.4% aged ≤ 18 years, and 93.5% were Saudi nationals. The overall satisfaction score was 75.9 ± 26.4 with Pharmacy services (83.3%) and Laboratory services (82.5%) scoring highest and Moving Through (waiting times) the lowest (67.5%). Males reported higher satisfaction (77.9 ± 26.2%) compared to females (75.1 ± 26.4%; <i>P</i> < .0001). Elderly patients (≥65 years) had the highest satisfaction (82.6%), 13.9 points higher than young adults (<i>P</i> < .001). Regionally, the Central region had the highest satisfaction (80.6 ± 22.7%), outperforming the Northern region by 8.73 points (<i>P</i> < .001). The findings highlighted disparities in patient-satisfaction across different demographic and regional groups emphasizing the need to improve waiting times, communication, and digital services. Limitations included potential response bias and varying expectations. Future research should focus on digital transformation and policy reforms to support Vision-2030 goals and international standards.