09.07.2018
Assessment of the state of medical sphere in Ukraine: June 2018
- According to the results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group in June 2018, 44% of respondents stated that over the past two years the overall quality of public healthcare services in the country has deteriorated. Fourteen percent reported seeing improvements, 32% believe that nothing has changed in the quality of public healthcare services, and 10% were unable to answer. Over the past six months, the share of those who say the situation has improved has slightly increased.
- Thirty-eight percent rate the level of professionalism and competence of doctors in Ukraine as high, while 54% hold the opposite view. Professional qualities of medical staff were rated somewhat higher in the eastern regions than elsewhere. Having a medical professional in the family and being acquainted with one’s family doctor also positively affects approval of doctors’ competence.
- Fifty-five percent know their family doctor or therapist, while 44% do not. A relatively higher level of awareness is observed among women and older respondents.
- Eighty-six percent have heard about the national program “Doctor for Every Family,” while 12% said they know nothing about it. Seventy percent stated that they support such a program. The reform is perceived more positively in western regions, and support is also somewhat higher among younger respondents and those who know their family doctor.
- Thirty-six percent reported that they have already chosen a family doctor and signed a contract with them, while 63% have not yet done so. Respondents from the East, older respondents, and urban residents more often reported having chosen a family doctor. Among those who have already signed a contract, 82% said they are satisfied with their doctor, and only 7% expressed dissatisfaction.
- Twenty-two percent of respondents reported having family members who work in professional medicine, including doctors, nurses, speech therapists, psychologists, and others.
- Seventy-three percent support voluntary vaccination of children against diseases such as polio, measles, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, and others, while 21% do not support it. In the case of mandatory vaccination, the level of support decreases somewhat: 66% support it and 27% do not. Voluntary vaccination is viewed more favorably by younger respondents and women, while mandatory vaccination is relatively more often supported by older people.
- Sixty-eight percent said they have heard about the “Affordable Medicines” program, under which pharmacies provide free medicines to patients with chronic conditions such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and bronchial asthma. Thirty-one percent know nothing about it. Higher awareness is observed among older respondents and those who have medical workers in their families.
- Fifty percent support the introduction of the “money follows the patient” principle in healthcare financing. Twenty percent expressed the opposite view, 17% said they support neither the old nor the new financing system, and 14% were unable to answer. Support for the new model of budget allocation for healthcare is higher in western and central regions, among younger respondents, and among urban residents.
- Forty-nine percent reported that they have heard about the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Improving Access to and Quality of Medical Care in Rural Areas,” under which 5 billion hryvnias were allocated for rural healthcare development, including purchasing new ambulances, providing transport for doctors, installing Internet access, and purchasing medical equipment. The same share, 49%, said they know nothing about it. Awareness of this initiative was reported more often by the oldest respondents. Among those who had heard about the law, more than 80% support it, while only 12% do not.
- Among the services that could be provided by the eHealth electronic system being gradually introduced in Ukraine, respondents found checking and comparing pharmacy prices the most convenient. Sixty-six percent said it would be convenient for them to do this using the system, while 29% disagreed. Scheduling appointments with doctors, checking one’s medical history, signing contracts with family doctors, and printing official prescriptions would be convenient for 50% to 60% of respondents, while 35% to 40% consider these services inconvenient. In contrast, using eHealth for medical consultations via video conferencing received mixed evaluations: 46% would find it convenient, while the same share would find it inconvenient. Receiving medical services through eHealth is clearly perceived more positively by younger and middle-aged respondents, while the oldest respondents are more likely to consider this mode of communication inconvenient. Men and wealthier respondents also tend to find eHealth services more convenient.
- Fifty-six percent of respondents said that over the past 12 months they were not asked to pay a bribe for medical treatment, while 15% reported encountering corruption when receiving medical services, and 27% said they had not visited a doctor during this period. Residents of southern regions, younger respondents, and wealthier respondents encountered demands for bribes relatively more often. At the same time, 27% said they had given gifts (such as sweets, alcohol, etc.) as a token of gratitude for treatment or medical services over the past 12 months, while 40% said they had no such experience. Younger and wealthier respondents reported such practices somewhat more often, as did respondents in the West and Center.
- Two thirds support introducing a cost-sharing system for medical treatment, where part of the cost is paid by the state and part by the patient, while 25% oppose this initiative. Support for co-financing treatment costs is more common in western and central regions, among younger and wealthier respondents. Among those who are not opposed to such a system, 33% said they are willing to pay no more than 5% of the total cost, 26% no more than 10%, 13% no more than 20%, and 14% are willing to pay up to a quarter of the cost of treatment. Again, younger and wealthier respondents more often stated their readiness to co-finance a quarter of treatment costs.
- More than 80% said they support the introduction in Ukraine of a new system of standardized entrance exams for applicants to medical universities, based on international practices and higher admission requirements. The same share believe that graduation exams for obtaining a medical diploma should be difficult (52% say very difficult, 35% say rather difficult). Only 7% supported simplifying exams for medical students.
- Fifty-eight percent of respondents consider the Ministry of Health important for themselves and their families, while 35% expressed the opposite opinion. Residents of western regions, younger respondents, and those who have medical professionals in their families more often emphasized the importance of the ministry.
Methodology
- Respondents: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, regions, 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: 1-10 June 2018
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