The healthcare system is one of the most important elements of any society, and its efficiency and accessibility have a direct impact on citizens' quality of life. In Poland, as in any country, there are challenges and disparities that deserve the attention of both policy-makers and patients. Our latest survey, the results of which are presented below, sheds light on several key issues: from trust in GPs, to access to specialised care, to the issue of availability of modern medicines. The findings not only reflect the current state of healthcare in the country, but also point to potential pathways for future reform.
In the survey, 27,84% respondents strongly agreed and 24,00% tended to agree with the statement that people with chronic illnesses cannot be treated by their GP, only by specialists. These responses suggest that there is a demand for increased access to specialists for people with chronic illnesses.
Additionally, such results may indicate a widespread belief that GPs are not sufficiently qualified to diagnose and treat chronic conditions. It is possible that many people consider specialists to be more competent in this area, leading to a burden on the health system when patients seek support from different specialists.
This poses a challenge to the health system, which must harmonise the availability of specialists with the needs of patients. As the number of people with chronic diseases increases, so do expectations regarding the quality of care, finding effective solutions in this area becomes crucial. Both GPs and specialists need to be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to effectively support people with chronic diseases.
On the other hand, trust in family doctors (GPs) seems to be relatively high. As many as 26,84% strongly and 37,96% rather agree with the statement that they trust their GP.
It is interesting to note that, despite the widespread belief that specialist care is necessary for chronic illnesses, trust in GPs is relatively high. This may suggest that patients appreciate the general skills and support they can receive from their GP, but still prefer to refer to a specialist for specific chronic conditions.
This discrepancy in the perception of the role of the GP may indicate a need to better educate the public about the tasks and competences of GPs. Perhaps if patients were aware that many GPs are also trained in the diagnosis and basic management of chronic diseases, more people would be willing to use the services of the PCP as their first point of contact with the healthcare system.
One of the most surprising results was that only 2,34% strongly agree and 8,03% rather agree with the statement that patients in Poland have sufficient access to modern medicines.
This result is alarming and indicates a significant lack of access to modern pharmacotherapy. Insufficient access to new medicines can lead to delays in treatment, which in turn can negatively affect patients' quality of life and in some cases even be a threat to their health.
These responses pose a challenge to politicians and healthcare decision-makers. It is possible that changes are needed in the financing of the system or in the regulations related to the registration and reimbursement of medicines. It is important to identify the barriers that prevent patients from accessing the latest advances in medicine and take steps to remove them.
Some 56,69% respondents agree with the statement that there are no problems with access to medicines in Polish pharmacies. This is an indicator that the current pharmacy system generally works well, although some delays in supply may occur.
This is definitely a positive signal, suggesting that when it comes to access to essential medicines, the Polish pharmacy system is nevertheless generally effective. Patients seem to be satisfied with their ability to purchase the medications they need, which is crucial for their overall health and quality of life.
However, it is worth emphasising that satisfaction with the pharmacy system does not eliminate other challenges and shortcomings in the health sector. For example, the lack of access to modern medicines, as seen in other parts of this study, indicates that there are aspects of the system that need urgent intervention and reform. The final picture is therefore a mixed one and highlights the need for a holistic approach to problems in healthcare.
Strong support for increased domestic production of medicines indicates public awareness of the importance of pharmaceutical self-reliance. It is possible that respondents associate domestic production with greater availability of medicines and potentially lower prices, which would have a positive impact on the healthcare system as a whole.
This also points to a potential policy path for policymakers, who may see this as an opportunity to increase investment in the pharmaceutical sector. It is possible that such a move could not only meet the growing demand for medicines, but also create new jobs and have a positive impact on the national economy.
The survey sheds light on several key aspects of the healthcare system in Poland. While trust in family doctors is high, there are serious concerns about access to specialised care and modern medicines. These findings can serve as a starting point for further discussions and reforms in the Polish health system.