Purpose – This is a national study which aims to determine the average waiting time in Malaysian
public hospitals and to gauge the level of patient satisfaction with the waiting time. It also aims to
identify factors perceived by healthcare providers which contribute to the waiting time problem.
Design/methodology/approach – Self-administered questionnaires were the main method of data
collection. Two sets of questionnaires were used. The first set solicited information from patients on
their waiting time expereince. The second set elucidated information from hospital employees on the
possible causes of lengthy waiting time. The questionnaires were administered in 21 public hospitals
throughout all 13 states in Malaysia. A total of 13,000 responses were analysed for the patient survey
and almost 3,000 were analysed for the employee survey.
Findings – The findings indicate that on average, patients wait for more than two hours from
registration to getting the prescription slip, while the contact time with medical personnel is only on
average 15 minutes. Employee surveys on factors contributing to the lengthy waiting time indicate
employee attitude and work process, heavy workload, management and supervision problems, and
inadequate facilities to be among the contributory factors to the waiting time problem.
Social implications – Public healthcare in Malaysia is in a state of “excess demand”, where demand
for subsidised healthcare far outstrips supply, due to the large fee differential between public and
private healthcare services. There is a need for hospital managers to reduce the boredom faced by
patients while waiting, and to address the waiting time problem in a more scientific manner, as has
been carried out in other countries through simulation and modelling techniques.
Originality/value – Healthcare organisations are keen to address their waiting time problem.
However, not much research has been carried out in this area. The study thus fills the lacuna in
waiting time studies in healthcare organisations.