Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Time series analysis is a statistical technique that is widely used in various fields to analyze patterns and trends in data over time. In the healthcare sector, time series analysis can provide valuable insights into patient attendance patterns, which can help hospitals and healthcare facilities better manage resources and improve patient care. This study focuses on conducting a time series analysis of patient attendance at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Nigeria. The primary objective of this research is to analyze historical patient attendance data at UUTH to identify trends, patterns, and seasonality in patient visits. By examining patterns in patient attendance, this study aims to provide valuable information that can assist hospital administrators and healthcare providers in making informed decisions related to resource allocation, staffing levels, and overall patient care management. The dataset used in this study consists of daily patient attendance records at UUTH over a period of five years. The time series analysis will involve exploring various statistical techniques to identify patterns in patient attendance data, including trend analysis, seasonality analysis, and forecasting future patient attendance numbers. Additionally, this study will also examine the impact of external factors such as holidays, weather conditions, and disease outbreaks on patient attendance patterns. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into patient attendance patterns at UUTH, which can help improve the overall efficiency and quality of healthcare services provided at the hospital. By understanding the factors that influence patient attendance, hospital administrators can better plan and allocate resources to meet the needs of patients effectively. This research is also significant as it can contribute to the existing body of knowledge on time series analysis in the healthcare sector, particularly in the context of patient attendance patterns. Overall, this study aims to demonstrate the usefulness of time series analysis in understanding patient attendance patterns at UUTH and its implications for healthcare management. By providing a comprehensive analysis of patient attendance data over time, this research can help inform evidence-based decision-making in hospital management and contribute to improving the quality of patient care services at UUTH and similar healthcare facilities.

Thesis Overview

1.1 INTRODUCTION

University of Uyo Teaching Hospital since its inception in 1994 has received considerable amount of people, for treatment medical advice, family planning and a host of other reason. Different categories of people have patronized the hospital for its efficiency.

It is therefore in the best interest of the researcher to use his or her knowledge of statistic application is the attendance of ill health (patients) attending the hospital. It does not and here the research as will look forward to classifying, arranging and recording the monthly, quarterly, annual, bi-annual attendance of patients in the hospital.

In an attempt to introduce efficient methods and routine towards comparing the total attendance of, in and out patient this in general comprises of male, female and children patient attending the hospital.

To crown it all, it shall be in form of data (secondary, primary data) depending on the set of people wishing to use it and purpose or criterion behind using the research, the data collected will be analysis organized, summarized and compiled. Since hospital patronage is consistent and continuous process, it will be an efficient data collection, centres and will promote statistical application and voluminous data i.e. moving average and time series analysis.

1.2 AIMS OF OBJECTIVE

1. To determine whether there is an increase or decrease in patients’ attendance.
2. To forecast the patient attendance by using linear trend method
3. To forecast for patient attendance using the fitted trend equation from 2008 to 2012

1.3 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This research will limit it analysis on the comparison of the attendance of patient. (IN and OUT) based on secondary data collected from the hospital University of Uyo Teaching Hospital from (1994 to 2007).

VARIOUS DEPARTMENT OF THE HOSPITAL

The hospital consists of nine (9) departments. The various departments include:

Medical Department: The Medical Director is the overall boss of the hospital. He is only answerable to the AkwaIbom State Commissioner of Health. He is in charge of all medical cases.

Administration Department: Hospital secretary is the head of this department. He heads all the administrative staff of various departments of the hospital and all heads of department are under him and answerable them, as every head administered on his behalf.

Nursing Service Department: The nursing service department is in charge with central of nurses, their posting, their duty roster, their shifting training to other post basic courses.

Medical Record Department: This department deals with keeping record and collection of data.

Laboratory: Technologist works in the laboratory and for the operation of laboratories equipment.

Pharmacy Department:The pharmaceutical department is in charge with the supply of drugs, drugs custody, drug protection and storage etc.

Radiology Department: The radiology is in charge with x-ray e.g. chinstraps etc.

Ophthalmology Department:Ophthalmology department is in charge with all cases of eye, its treatment etc.

E.N.T Department: This department is in charge with all cases of ear