Exploring Health Service Quality Perceptions Among International Students: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study

Dátum
2025
Folyóirat címe
Folyóirat ISSN
Kötet címe (évfolyam száma)
Kiadó
Absztrakt

Hungary has emerged as a popular destination for international students, with a notable increase in numbers following the introduction of the Stipendium Hungaricum, a government scholarship program. Existing literature suggests that international students often experience varying degrees of physical and psychological adjustment due to their transition to a new environment, which can significantly impact their overall well-being. According to studies, overseas students are more likely to suffer from poor mental health, which is exacerbated by separation from family and culture, language barriers, financial hardship, and academic obligations. To enable overseas students to complete their degrees and achieve their desired performance, universities must support them in various ways, including improving access to high-quality healthcare services. This thesis explores the perceived quality of healthcare services and the well-being of international students residing and studying in Debrecen, Hungary. This research employs an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Data collection for both phases was conducted sequentially. In this design, qualitative data is collected and analyzed before quantitative data collection. The exploratory sequential design is typically applied when the phenomenon under study is poorly understood. The study discovered five characteristics that could be used to enhance healthcare services for international students. Patient safety is the most critical aspect of perceived quality among international students at the University Health Centre. Furthermore, being a Ph.D. student, studying in health-related institutions, and receiving a scholarship indicated the perceived quality for overseas students. As a result, the UHC administration and the university must elevate the quality of services. Improvements must consider the range of socio-demographic factors among international students. This would help address the numerous challenges that international students encounter, particularly the disparities in primary care services and healthcare systems caused by social, historical, economic, and cultural reasons. By applying an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) matrix, significant areas for improvement in the selected university health center's services were identified based on the expectations of international students. The importance-performance analysis provides critical insights into international students' feedback regarding the quality of services offered at the university health facility. It highlights the necessity for improvements and the reduction of significant performance gaps, especially concerning the efficiency component. Decision-makers can leverage the results of the IPA analysis to allocate limited resources more effectively, concentrating on potential organizational weaknesses to inform future strategic directions. International students believe that well-being encompasses multiple dimensions, linking it to academic performance, health, social connections, and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the quantitative research found that when considering gender, nationality, student status, faculty, and sponsorship, only faculty and student status significantly impacted well-being. As a result, foreign students from non-health faculties are more likely to experience enhanced well-being compared to their counterparts from health-related universities. Senior students are less likely to see an increase in well-being than first-year students. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the University and other stakeholders involved in foreign student affairs to investigate improved pre-arrival strategies, taking into account the diversity of international students' socio-demographic features. Peer support from students from the same country or those who have already completed the same course will enhance the well-being of international students.

Leírás
Kulcsszavak
Egészségtudományok, Orvostudományok
Jogtulajdonos
URL
Jelzet
Egyéb azonosító
Forrás
Támogatás