Abstract:
This study aimed to determine the extent of awareness inpatients at Benguet General Hospital of the Phil health policies. Specifically, it sought to find the respondent’s awareness in terms of membership programs, benefits such as inpatient benefits and special packages, qualified legal dependents, and monthly obligations of Phil health members and effectivity of Phil health policies. The study also aimed to determine the extent of awareness when grouped according to age, gender, civil status, employment status, and educational attainment; and identified the problems encountered with regards to Phil health services.
A total of one hundred (100) respondents (25 patients from obstetric ward, 25 from paediatric ward, 25 from surgical ward and 25 from medical ward) took part in the study. Data were gathers through questionnaire; organized and subjected to statistical analysis using weighted mean, t-test, and Cochran Q test.
Results of this study showed that the respondents have adequate awareness on Phil health policies. Also, educational attainment affects the awareness on Phil health policies of inpatients of BeGH. The inpatients who are vocational graduates are more aware and they understand better the Phil health policies. Lastly, inpatients of BeGH experienced different problems in transacting with Phil health especially on the long processing of papers and insufficient explanation by Phil health staff/ personnel.
Based on the findings , the following recommendations are cited for Phil health to intensify its nationwide information dissemination campaign of its policies like conducting seminars, distributing booklets and flyers, advertisements and pamphlets, and for Phil health to improve its services to facilitate and fast track processing of papers and to patiently explain to clientele the policies and procedures . Likewise, a study to compare awareness of Phil health policies between private and public Phil health-accredited hospitals as well as, a study to include the variables like ethnic affiliation, family income, and type of community is advised.
