A study was done in 1987 to find out the attitudes and perceptions of patients toward treatment in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). A similar study was repeated five years later covering both patients and relatives of patients. In 1987, 17% of patients were not satisfied with the treatment mainly because of poor patient-staff relationship. In 1991, 5% of the patients were dissatisfied. The reasons attributed for their dissatisfaction were rudeness of staff, the presence of medical students and attitude of the patients and public of the nurses. There was a positive change of attitude of the aptients and public towards the hospital services after five years. Factors that lead to this improvement like education and better public relations is discussed.