Only 36% of patients in Greece consider the National Health System (ESY) reliable, according to a new survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This figure drops to 25% for those who encountered obstacles the last time they used ESY services.
Greece had the lowest trust levels among those who faced barriers (e.g., unavailable appointments, incorrect/delayed diagnosis or treatment, communication issues between healthcare professionals) and the general population among the 19 countries surveyed.
The study involved 107,000 patients aged 45 and over from Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Wales, and the United States, who visited 1,800 healthcare facilities. Among these countries, Spain recorded the highest trust levels: 90% in the general population and 75% among those who faced obstacles.
The survey, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), involved 107,000 patients and covered 1,800 healthcare facilities across four continents.
In Greece, distrust does not generally extend to healthcare professionals, with 78% stating they trust the doctor they last visited. However, the concerns are with the systemic issues of the National Health System (ESY), such as underfunding, inadequate primary care, and long waiting times for specialized treatment.
At the same time, public healthcare spending in Greece is relatively low compared to other OECD countries. Although higher spending does not automatically lead to a better healthcare system, the report suggests that it is linked to greater trust and better outcomes, according to patients.
What is fyi.news?
