Abstract
Background
Patients’ expectations and needs for healthcare services are changing. These changes are correlated with changes in disease profiles, a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, the introduction of new and innovative treatments and health technologies, and the emergence of new social and economic contexts.
National health reports on Romania show that decisions in healthcare planning are not correlated with the health needs of the population. At the same time, this report shows a high degree of unmet healthcare needs of the Romanian population (related to cost, distance and waiting times), especially for low-income populations.
The objective of the study was to identify the unmet needs of the population in relation to primary care medical services in the context of actual health regulations through a pilot study in a representative county in Romania.
Methods
The study is survey-based, and part of a health needs assessment programme commissioned by the District Health Authority to the university. A questionnaire with 21 items was designed to gather information about the structures, processes and outcomes of primary care from the perspective of the population. A total of 877 questionnaires were returned and validated. The data were analysed with SPSS version 25.
Results
Access to primary care was considered to be good by most of the population. Most of the settlements have a family doctor, and 80.5% can schedule an appointment on the same or the following day. Most basic medical services are provided, except for out-of-hours primary care services and cervical cancer screening. The family doctors are considered to be a reliable health resource.
Conclusions
Despite limitations in the practice of family medicine in Romania and therefore a narrow spectrum of services offered by primary care in general, the level of contentment of the population with this healthcare resource is still high. Barriers to access are related to the lack of some essential services, especially preventive and out-of-hours services. Unmet needs are presumably not recognised by patients due to a lack of medical culture. Further research is needed to clarify this conclusion.
Key words: unmet health needs, primary care, Romania