Drivers of Home Healthcare Industry: Contrasting Views of Users and Providers in a Developing Country

Abstract

Home healthcare fills an important void in a country's healthcare system; factors promoting home healthcare growth vary. In this study, the perceptions of the users and providers are analyzed to identify the important factors. Survey analysis was done for ten identified factors on 378 nurses and 394 patients. Responses were analyzed with Garret Ranking Method. The systematic random sampling method was used after acquiring the list of nurses working in home health organizations. The preference should be given to the user's perception as the customer is the king; it is encouraging for Indian home health providers that users are feeling they are deriving benefits from home health service usage; however, this feeling can be further enhanced by focusing on the right factors such as doctors recommendation, the rise of chronic diseases and the cost advantage associated with home health over Institutional care. Results revealed a disparity between the perceptions of the providers and users. This study suggests that home health agencies highlight features, such as cost-effective care, medical professionals' recommendation, and utility in providing relief to chronic disease patients.