Patient Waiting Time and Satisfaction with Radiological Services at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria

Patient waiting time is a widely recognised indicator of healthcare service quality, and its relationship with patient satisfaction in radiology departments has direct implications for patient experience, clinical outcomes, and institutional reputation management. At Lagos University Teaching Hospital, a major tertiary institution in South West Nigeria, radiology service demand substantially exceeds current throughput capacity, creating extended waiting periods that may adversely affect patient wellbeing and care continuity. This study evaluates the relationship between patient waiting time and satisfaction with radiological services at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive survey is conducted among 320 consecutive outpatient radiology service users over a four-week data collection period, using a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire alongside documented waiting time records. Variables assessed include waiting time duration, procedure type, staff communication quality, facility comfort, and overall satisfaction rating. Pearson correlation and regression analysis are applied using SPSS. Published service quality literature from South West Nigerian teaching hospitals identifies mean waiting times exceeding three hours for plain radiography as a common finding, with waiting time being the strongest predictor of dissatisfaction in radiology outpatient surveys. The SERVQUAL model adapted for healthcare service quality provides the analytical framework. Findings are expected to reveal a significant inverse relationship between waiting time and overall satisfaction. Recommendations address appointment scheduling systems, workflow optimisation, and patient communication protocols in the LUTH radiology department. Keywords: patient waiting time, patient satisfaction, radiology services, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria.