Patient Satisfaction with Family Medicine Outpatient Services at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality and is central to improving service delivery in family medicine settings. This study assesses patient satisfaction with outpatient family medicine services at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, in the North Central geopolitical zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the SERVQUAL framework adapted for Nigerian primary care settings. Three hundred outpatient attendees were enrolled through systematic random sampling. A structured questionnaire assessed satisfaction across domains including waiting time, communication, and staff attitude. Results: Overall satisfaction was moderate. Long waiting times and perceived inadequate communication from physicians were the most frequently cited sources of dissatisfaction. Cleanliness of facilities and availability of medications were rated positively. Younger patients reported lower satisfaction levels compared to older respondents. Conclusion: Improving patient satisfaction at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi requires targeted interventions in appointment scheduling, clinician-patient communication training, and medication supply chain management. Continuous quality improvement initiatives should be embedded in the family medicine departmental strategy. Keywords: patient satisfaction, outpatient services, family medicine, Makurdi, quality of care