Utilization of Health Services and the Responsiveness of Health Care System in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

Health services utilization and health care system responsiveness are the most important performance indicators of health systems of a country. Maximizing utilization of health care facilities and the responsiveness of the health care system are the intrinsic goal of health policy and planning. Thus understanding, from the patient?s perspective, factors influencing the utilization of healthcare facilities and how well the system responds to their care needs provides information that could help to improve healthcare service delivery. The current study aimed to investigate the pattern and determinants of utilization and responsiveness of health facilities among Omani adults of age 18 years and above. Findings from this study can provide useful information to health planners and policy-makers for the appropriate planning of the healthcare system structure, policies and programs for public and private health services, and to healthcare providers regarding how healthcare services need to be organized and reformed to meet the needs of the people.