Evaluation of patient experience and satisfaction with inpatient care: insights from Ghanaian hospitals in a cross-sectional analysis

Patient experience and patient satisfaction are critical components of healthcare quality evaluation, particularly in promoting patient-centered care. In Ghana, however, empirical evidence linking patient experiences with satisfaction in inpatient settings is limited. This study assessed inpatient experiences and overall rating of satisfaction across selected hospitals in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and February 2025 in eight hospitals across four regions of Ghana. A total of 1,220 adult inpatients who had received care for at least 24 h were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that included the Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire-15 (PPE-15) and a global satisfaction item. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of satisfaction. The mean inpatient experience problem score was 60.2%, indicating widespread issues, particularly in care involvement, communication on discharge, and emotional support. The mean satisfaction score was 61.2%. A significant inverse correlation was found between experience problem scores and satisfaction ( r = -0.419, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression showed that age, education level, self-rated health status, previous hospital experience, length of stay and several PPE-15 dimensions significantly predicted satisfaction, explaining 47.8% of its variance. This study identifies critical gaps in patient experience that undermine satisfaction and calls for actionable measures, including integrating shared decision-making, strengthening patient–provider communication, and enhancing emotional and family support. Embedding structured discharge planning, patient feedback systems, and targeted staff training into hospital operations can drive tangible improvements in inpatient care quality in Ghana.