The study was sponsored by the World Bank Assisted Maharashtra Health Systems Development Project and conducted in 2005 by researchers S Mulay and R Nagarajan. Nagarajan told The Indian Express that the report was already submitted to the state government.

The study had sought to assess the level of satisfaction of both the indoor and outdoor patients. A total of 781 patients were involved in the study, says Nagarajan. "The study was unique as the project had aimed at assessing the level of satisfaction among doctors, nurses technicians, pharmacists and Class-IV employees," he said.

In all, 16 hospitals were selected for the study that included district hospitals, sub divisional hospitals and rural hospitals. The patients were mainly from economically and educationally weaker sections of the society.

Free treatment is the major reason given by the patients for coming to the concerned hospitals. About 68 per cent of the indoor patients and 74 per cent of the outdoor patients have reported 'free treatment' as the main reason for coming to government hospitals.

Though they had complaints about lack of privacy and cleanliness, 75 per cent of the indoor patients at district hospitals and 74 per cent of patients at other hospitals were satisfied with the hospital services.

The hospital's profile was also assessed that examined physical infrastructure, diagnostic facilities, and personnel. Researchers found that while the diagnostic facilities improved in hospitals, there was deterioration in physical infrastructure and personnel.