BackgroundThis study aimed at assessing patient experiences with hospital services and key factors associated with better experiences.MethodsThe study design is cross-sectional supported by qualitative interviews. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) was used as data collection instrument. A convenience sample of 391 volunteers aged ≥18 years participated in this study. Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and healthcare providers to further enrich and explain the quantitative results.ResultsThe average age of the sample was 41.34, SD (16.4), range (18–87). Females represented 61.9% of the whole sample. Almost 75% were from the West Bank and 25% from the Gaza Strip. The majority of respondents reported that doctors and nurses were respectful, listened to them and explained clearly to them always or most of the time. Only 29.4% of respondents were given written information about the symptoms they may have after discharge from the hospital. Factors that were independently associated with higher scores on the HCAHPS scale were; being females (coef: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.157 to 1.587, p=0.017), being healthy (coef: −1.58, 95% CI: −2.458 to −0.706, p=0.000), being with high financial status (coef: 1.51, 95% CI: 0.437 to 2.582, p=0.006), being from Gaza (coef: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.484 to 2.408, p=0.003) and who visited hospitals outside of Palestine (coef: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.812 to 4.934, p=0.000). Overcrowding, weak organisational and management processes, and inadequate supply of goods, medicines, and equipment were reported factors impeding quality services via in-depth interviews.ConclusionsThe overall hospital experiences of Palestinian patients were moderate but varied significantly based on patients’ factors such as sex, health status, financial status and residency as well as by hospital type. Hospitals in Palestine should invest more in improving their services including communications with patients, the hospital environment and communication with patients.

Political conflicts can have adverse effects on the lives of people. All aspects of life are affected such as access to health, education, economics, social well-being, and human rights. How political conflicts affect the mental and physical well-being of a community is particularly concerning. This study aimed at exploring the impact of the political conflict on families’ livelihood and health. We also explored the strategies the families use to cope in their environment. This research uses qualitative research methods to explore in depth the ways political conflicts impact the lives of residents in the H2 areas of Hebron city in Palestine. The research shows that mental health mediates the effects of violence on almost all other aspects of family life. Participants in this research emphasized the importance of social support from organizations, family members, neighbors, communities, and other regions in helping them persevere. In fact, one particular outcome of this research is that when faced with oppression from external and foreign powers, the oppressed communities tend to stick together and support each other to a greater extent than during times of peace. We termed this positive outcome of political violence as the separation oppression-unification theory to show how when one group separates itself and oppresses another group, members of the oppressed group tend to set aside their differences and stick together against their common oppressor by increasing social support and cohesion.

Background: The elderly population in Palestine is small but faces many obstacles and gaps in healthcare in this low-middle income country. They are generally underserved, many living in poverty, facing difficulties in access to care and are a less well educated group of people. Aim: To analyze the effects on access and utilization of primary healthcare services by the elderly. Method: This study was part of a larger survey conducted in Palestine from Oct 2021-February 2022. Quantitative data was collected by trained interviewers using notebooks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, n=76. SPSS Version 26 was used for analysis. Results: There is a less well educated population with at least 75% of the elderly reported having a chronic health problem. They all reported having health insurance although meeting health care costs and out of pocket expense was a burden for at least 47%. Access to healthcare services such as acquiring a permit from the Israeli occupation forces or travelling long distances to reach care centers was a hindrance. Conclusion: Education and health are intertwined. By ensuring the population is educated, a sound health system is in place including universal insurance, policy makers and researchers working hand in hand will provide for more preparation for the growing populations needs while also serving to reduce inequities in health.