The Role of Service Marketing Mix Elements in Achieving Healthcare Service Quality: Hospitals Patients as a Case Study
摘要
The objective of this study is to investigate the role of service marketing mix elements in the attainment of healthcare service quality. In order to achieve the study’s objectives, a descriptive-analytical approach is employed. A questionnaire consisting of 51 items is utilized to collect data, which was distributed among 500 hospital patients in Al-Zarqa Governorate using a purposive sampling method. After excluding 105 incomplete or non-serious responses, a total of 395 valid responses are considered for analysis. The collected data is analyzed using appropriate statistical methods through the utilization of the SPSS program. The study yields several significant findings, indicating a statistically significant contribution of the healthcare service marketing mix elements (namely healthcare product, pricing, distribution, promotion, personnel (service providers), physical evidence, and processes) both collectively and individually in the achievement of healthcare service quality in hospitals within Al-Zarqa Governorate. Furthermore, the study reveals that these marketing mix elements are implemented to a high extent, with an average mean score of 3.79. Among the elements, the physical evidence variable obtains the highest mean score of 3.97 and is implemented to a high degree, while the personnel (service providers) variable obtains the lowest mean score of 3.60 and is implemented to a moderate degree. Additionally, the level of healthcare service quality implementation is found to be high, with an average mean score of 3.92. In light of the aforementioned discoveries, it is suggested by the study that government hospitals in Al-Zarqa Governorate concentrate on the advancement of healthcare services through regular campaigns aimed at reminding patients about the available hospital services. This is due to the evident influence of the promotional factor in enhancing the quality of healthcare services from the patients’ perspective. Furthermore, government hospitals can address the challenge of distribution, which was found to have the least impact on healthcare service quality, by establishing geographically dispersed outpatient clinics that cater to all areas within Al-Zarqa Governorate. Additionally, the improvement of healthcare service delivery processes (operations) can be achieved by providing training to service providers in effective communication skills with patients.