The introduction of additional fee for medical services

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Tomasz Zaprutko, Daria Dimmich, Dominika Sawicka, Aleksandra Śmigielska, Patrycja Bogdaniec, Krzysztof Kus, Piotr Ratajczak, Anna Paczkowska, Elżbieta Nowakowska

3 (52) 2017 s. 274–277
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Fraza do cytowania: Zaprutko T., Dimmich D., Sawicka D., Śmigielska A., Bogdaniec P., Kus K., Ratajczak P., Paczkowska A., Nowakowska E. The introduction of additional fee for medical services. Polski Przegląd Nauk o Zdrowiu. 2017;3(52):274–277.

Introduction. Effective health care is a very important part of the proper functioning of the state and equal access to the health care is the right of every citizen. However, many countries, including Poland, are struggling with the problem of queues and long waiting times for medical services. Aim. The main aim of the study was to carry out a study concerning willingness to pay an additional fee for medical services. In addition, the purpose of the study was also to gather patients' views on the impact of such charge on the potential reduction of queues and to verify the frequency of medical visits among study participants. Material and methods. The study was conducted from January to June 2017 using a specially prepared questionnaire, consisting of 9 single-choice que- stions and short statistical section. The study was anonymous and participation was voluntary. 401 questionnaires completed by persons over 18 years of age were included into the study. Results. Most patients indicated that they visit their physicians once a half year, and that the waiting time for a GP visit was not a problem for them contrary to the waiting time to specialist. From respondents point of view the introduction of an additional fee for medical services might be considered by health care decision makers, however it should contribute to the significant increase in the availability of medical services. Conclusions. Queues in healthcare are an important issue. Thus, patients increasingly decide for private health insurance, which facilitates their access to medical care. Besides, patients would accept an additional fee for medical services, however such contribution should pay off in the improvement of the health care system in Poland and in the significant reduction of waiting time for medical services.

Key words: fee, health care, queues.



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