Our findings confirm the association of self-rated health with economic crisis and certain demographic and socio-economic factors. Given that the economic recession in Greece deepens, immediate and effective actions targeting health inequalities and improvements in health status are deemed necessary.
ObjectivesTo investigate the magnitude of barriers in access to health services for chronic patients and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics that affect them.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,594 chronic patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, COPD and Alzheimer. Logistic regression analyses were carried out in order to explore the factors related to economic and geographical barriers in access, as well as the determinants of barriers due to waiting lists.ResultsA total of 25% of chronic patients face geographical barriers while 63.5% and 58.5% of them are in front of economic and waiting list barriers, respectively. Unemployed, low-income and low-educated are more likely to face economic barriers in access. Moreover, women, low-income patients, and patients with lower health status are more likely to be in front of geographical barriers. In addition, the probability of waiting lists occurrence is greater for unemployed, employees and low income patients.ConclusionsBarriers in access can be mainly attributed to income decrease and unemployment. In this context, health policy measures are essential for removing barriers in access. Otherwise, inequalities may increase and chronic patients’ health status will be deteriorated. These consequences imply adverse effects on health expenditure.
Abstract:There is evidence that the economic crisis in Greece has substantially affected patients and health care services, with chronic patients forming a particularly vulnerable group. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and in what way the current economic environment has affected patients with selected chronic conditions. A cross sectional study was carried out with a sample size of 1200 patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Following a large family income decrease (35.4%) in the last 3 years, chronic patients reported decreased spending for various expenditure categories in order to maintain their ability to finance their health care needs. Among the disease groups studied, statistically significant differences were found for self-rated heath (SRH), out-of pocket health expenditures, health services utilization and the perceived need for physician services. Although need for physician visits for issues related to the chronic condition has largely been reported as met, this was achieved by increased out-of-pocket expenditures and large family budget cuts for essential household goods and services. Austerity measures and reduction of public health expenditure by the state appear to have led to high private expenditures and to de jure or de facto insurance coverage loss for primary care services.
A469by the government budget. Results: Sixty-two DRGs were identified as suitable for day cases. The majority of these were procedures of the eye (16%), the ear, nose and throat (11.3%), the myoskeletal system (9.7%), the kidney and the urinary tract (9.7%) and the female reproductive system (9.7%). The hospital marginal cost of an increase in the length of stay by one day was estimated at 563.32 euros (95%CI: 541.6-585.1). The annual savings were estimated at 93.7 million euros for the SI and when labor opportunity cost is included the amount saved exceeds 225 million. ConClusions: In light of the economic crisis and the continuously reduced health care budget, the health system should adopt cost-effective intervention in order to preserve a satisfactory level of health services output. As this study concludes, day surgery can save a great amount of resources and according to the international literature can also guarantee patients' safety and satisfaction.
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