WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP

Abdeslam Baalla; Tarik Jellouli

WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

Waiting time is a key performance indicator in public health systems and an important determinant of patient satisfaction, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study examines the relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction in medical imaging services in Moroccan public hospitals, with a particular focus on potential non-linear effects. Using cross-sectional data from a survey of 570 patients who underwent radiological examinations (X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound) between October 2024 and July 2025, we employ both descriptive and quadratic regression models. The results reveal a statistically significant inverted U-shaped relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction: satisfaction increases up to an intermediate range of waiting time (60–180 minutes), reaches its peak at approximately 60–120 minutes, and declines for both shorter and longer waiting durations. This association remains robust after controlling for age, sex, and reason for examination. However, waiting time explains only a limited share of the variation in satisfaction, suggesting that patient expectations and perceived quality of care play an important role. These findings indicate that reducing waiting times alone may not systematically improve patient satisfaction. Instead, policy efforts should prioritize reducing excessively long waits while improving communication, transparency, and the management of patient expectations. This study provides novel empirical evidence of non-linear waiting-time effects in medical imaging services within a middle-income country context.

Keywords

Project Number

ID: 1766856

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration, along with its later amendments. Informed consent was obtained online from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study.

Thanks

The authors sincerely thank all participants in the online survey, as well as the hospital staff and colleagues who facilitated the design and distribution of the questionnaire and provided valuable contributions.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Econometrics (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Abdeslam Baalla ^*
0009-0002-8388-7905
Morocco

Tarik Jellouli
0000-0000-0000-0000
Morocco

Publication Date

October 20, 2026

Submission Date

September 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Baalla, A., & Jellouli, T. (2026). WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP. Journal of Research in Economics, 10(2), 81-94. https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK

AMA

1.Baalla A, Jellouli T. WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP. JORE. 2026;10(2):81-94. https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK

Chicago

Baalla, Abdeslam, and Tarik Jellouli. 2026. “WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP”. Journal of Research in Economics 10 (2): 81-94. https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK.

EndNote

Baalla A, Jellouli T (October 1, 2026) WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP. Journal of Research in Economics 10 2 81–94.

IEEE

[1]A. Baalla and T. Jellouli, “WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP”, JORE, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 81–94, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK

ISNAD

Baalla, Abdeslam - Jellouli, Tarik. “WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP”. Journal of Research in Economics 10/2 (October 1, 2026): 81-94. https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK.

JAMA

1.Baalla A, Jellouli T. WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP. JORE. 2026;10:81–94.

MLA

Baalla, Abdeslam, and Tarik Jellouli. “WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP”. Journal of Research in Economics, vol. 10, no. 2, Oct. 2026, pp. 81-94, https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK.

Vancouver

1.Abdeslam Baalla, Tarik Jellouli. WAITING TIME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN MEDICAL IMAGING SERVICES OF MOROCCAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS: AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP. JORE [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;10(2):81-94. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA98GA47EK