Measuring patients’ healthcare service quality perceptions, satisfaction, and loyalty in public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between healthcare perceived service quality (HCSQ) and patient loyalty. Mediating role of patient satisfaction is also assessed between HCSQ and patient loyalty. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 600 was gathered using stratified random sampling technique from inpatients of public and private sector hospitals of Pakistan through self-administered questionnaire, and was analyzed through regression analysis. Findings – Findings indicate that healthcare perceived service quality has a significant positive effect on patients’ loyalty. Patient satisfaction also mediates the relationship between HCSQ and patient loyalty. Findings state that there is a significant difference between HCSQ which is perceived by the patients of both public and private sector hospitals. Differences suggest that the patients of private sector hospitals were found more satisfied than their counterparts. Practical implications – The results indicate that hospit...