Impact of physician group practice in the operations, quality of care, and service satisfaction in the non-urgent section of an emergency department in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines: a mixed methods study
Dublin Core
Title
Impact of physician group practice in the operations, quality of care, and service satisfaction in the non-urgent section of an emergency department in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines: a mixed methods study
Subject
Emergency department, Group practice, Independent consultancy, Non-urgent, Quality of care, Service
satisfaction
satisfaction
Description
Abstract
Background The Emergency Department (ED) is a primary source of healthcare services for patients with non-
urgent conditions in the Philippines. The adaptation of physician group practice (GP) in the ED has gained popularity
in the country due to its potential advantage to patient management and physicians compared to independent
consultancy (IC). This study aimed to determine the impacts of GP in a non-urgent ED setting in terms of operations,
quality of care, and service satisfaction compared to IC.
Methods Historical data collection focusing on operations, service costs, patient outcomes, and satisfaction was
performed between 2021 and 2022 at a tertiary for-profit private hospital in Metro Manila, Philippines. In addition,
patient surveys on demographics, perception, ED accessibility, and descriptive satisfaction ratings were also
administered in 2023 (n=310). These aspects were compared between patients managed by GP and IC quantitatively
using univariate descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and ANCOVA to compare operational metrics, financial
data, and patient outcomes. Qualitative data from patient surveys were analyzed using a sequential-explanatory
approach.
Results Our analysis of the historical data showed high rates of positive outcomes for non-urgent ED patients in both
GP and IC. Total (PhP587,812 vs. PhP379,699; p<0.001) and per patient (PhP1,801 vs. PhP554; p<0.001) operational
costs were higher for the GPs. However, GPs incurred shorter mean length of stay (165.5 vs. 214.2 min; p<0.001). There
appears to be no difference in service satisfaction and overall patient outcomes between patients managed by GP
or IC, although patients of GP physicians assessed the level of care of the ED to be higher (5 vs. 4; p-value=0.019). In
the quantitative and qualitative ratings, most patients provided positive citations on ED service quality, staff, structure,
system, physician competency and compassion.
Background The Emergency Department (ED) is a primary source of healthcare services for patients with non-
urgent conditions in the Philippines. The adaptation of physician group practice (GP) in the ED has gained popularity
in the country due to its potential advantage to patient management and physicians compared to independent
consultancy (IC). This study aimed to determine the impacts of GP in a non-urgent ED setting in terms of operations,
quality of care, and service satisfaction compared to IC.
Methods Historical data collection focusing on operations, service costs, patient outcomes, and satisfaction was
performed between 2021 and 2022 at a tertiary for-profit private hospital in Metro Manila, Philippines. In addition,
patient surveys on demographics, perception, ED accessibility, and descriptive satisfaction ratings were also
administered in 2023 (n=310). These aspects were compared between patients managed by GP and IC quantitatively
using univariate descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and ANCOVA to compare operational metrics, financial
data, and patient outcomes. Qualitative data from patient surveys were analyzed using a sequential-explanatory
approach.
Results Our analysis of the historical data showed high rates of positive outcomes for non-urgent ED patients in both
GP and IC. Total (PhP587,812 vs. PhP379,699; p<0.001) and per patient (PhP1,801 vs. PhP554; p<0.001) operational
costs were higher for the GPs. However, GPs incurred shorter mean length of stay (165.5 vs. 214.2 min; p<0.001). There
appears to be no difference in service satisfaction and overall patient outcomes between patients managed by GP
or IC, although patients of GP physicians assessed the level of care of the ED to be higher (5 vs. 4; p-value=0.019). In
the quantitative and qualitative ratings, most patients provided positive citations on ED service quality, staff, structure,
system, physician competency and compassion.
Creator
Ma. Lourdes Concepcion D. Jimenez1,2*, Mark B. Carascal3
, Marlouie D. Figueras4
, John Q. Wong5
, Roemer
D. Tanghal1,2, Veincent Christian F. Pepito1
and Rafael Manzanera6
, Marlouie D. Figueras4
, John Q. Wong5
, Roemer
D. Tanghal1,2, Veincent Christian F. Pepito1
and Rafael Manzanera6
Publisher
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00822-6
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Ma. Lourdes Concepcion D. Jimenez1,2*, Mark B. Carascal3
, Marlouie D. Figueras4
, John Q. Wong5
, Roemer
D. Tanghal1,2, Veincent Christian F. Pepito1
and Rafael Manzanera6, “Impact of physician group practice in the operations, quality of care, and service satisfaction in the non-urgent section of an emergency department in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines: a mixed methods study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12646.