26.05.2017
Dynamics of the medical reform assessments
- According to a survey conducted by the Rating Group in May 2017, only 9% of respondents believe that the quality of public medical services has improved over the last two years. At the same time, half say the situation has worsened, one third believe it has remained the same, and 11% were unable to answer.
- Among the latest government initiatives in healthcare reform, respondents most strongly support reimbursement of the cost of medicines for diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases (88%) and the introduction of control over public funds used for the construction of the Okhmatdyt diagnostic complex (80%).
- About two thirds of respondents support the introduction of reference pricing for medicines, the creation of Public Health Centers for disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles, mandatory medical insurance for all citizens, and subsidies for medical services for internally displaced persons from Donbas and Crimea.
- More than half support the introduction of standardized protocols based on “evidence-based medicine” for the treatment of all diseases and an increase in doctors’ salaries by at least 30% through contracts between patients and doctors. 41% support contracts between doctors and patients with a guaranteed price for treatment.
- Over the last two months, support has slightly increased for almost all initiatives, except for mandatory medical insurance, contracts between patients and doctors, and strict control over public funds.
- 90% support the idea that medical care should be provided to everyone regardless of their financial situation. Around 80% agree that public budget funds should “follow the patient” and be paid to doctors only for actually provided services, rather than depend on the size of hospitals or number of beds, and that charitable donations for medical care should not be taxed. The same share supports creating a special state fund for financing treatment of ATO veterans and priority state funding for their medical needs.
- 75% support making information on charitable medical donations by public officials public in electronic declarations, as well as tax benefits for enterprises that pay for their employees’ health insurance.
- 70% support a cost-sharing model for treatment where 70% is paid by the state and 30% (or less) by the patient.
- 60% support the idea that hospitals and medical institutions should have more self-governance in making decisions that affect patient care. Half approve granting medical workers the right to operate as entrepreneurs and pay lower taxes. 43% support the statement that the state may refuse to pay for treatment if a person neglects their health.
- 77% support introducing a mechanism that allows individuals to contact a pharmaceutical regulatory agency to verify the quality of their medicines, 9% do not support it, and 13% are undecided. Support for this mechanism is higher in the West, South, and Center than in the East.
- Half of respondents believe that medical workers convicted by a court for demanding bribes should be banned from working in medicine; 15% think they should be banned from public institutions but allowed to work privately; 21% think paying a fine is sufficient; 3% think there should be no punishment; 11% are undecided. Support for a full ban is lower in the South, and those who have medical professionals in their family are less inclined to support bans.
- Nearly half of respondents said that the Ministry of Health is important to them personally and to their families. 40% said it has no significance for them. The Ministry is considered most important in the South and least important in the East. It matters more to older respondents than to younger ones.
Methodology
- Respondents: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and place of residence.
- Total sample: 1200 respondents.
- Personal formalized interview (face-to-face).
- The margin of error does not exceed 2,8%.
- Fieldwork dates: 29 April – 7 May 2017
.webp)
