Community perception on OPD performance of a teaching hospital in Gondar town.

Among 2605 heads of households interviewed in Gondar Town, 1,099 (42%) had visited the Out Patient Department of the Gondar College of Medical Sciences Hospital during the past one year. Of these, 856 (78%) were dissatisfied with the services. The pharmacy was perceived as the worst unit of the Department. Among the 1,042 visitors who had gone to the pharmacy, 76% were unable to buy all the drugs prescribed by the physicians. The outcome of treatment as perceived by the visitors were 671 (61%) improved and 71 (7%) died at home after seeking consultation at the OPD. Mechanisms of improving hospital performances such as greater community participation and improved management system are suggested.