Introduction
Healthcare is one of the most important elements of social well-being. A recent survey on patients' experiences of healthcare in Poland sheds light on several key aspects of the system. Below is an analysis of the results.
Access to free preventive examinations
According to the results, a large majority of respondents (68.32%) agree that referrals for free preventive examinations can be requested when visiting the GP. Only 21.24% respondents expressed dissatisfaction in this regard. Furthermore, 57.11% patients had asked for such a referral in the past year. These data are an encouraging sign, suggesting that there is widespread confidence in GPs in the context of diagnosis and early detection of disease. However, the fact that more than a fifth of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the process indicates a need for further analysis and potential optimisation of the system. One could consider whether the lack of referrals is due to a lack of available places in diagnostic facilities, or whether it could be the result of incomplete doctor-patient communication.
Information on prevention programmes
One of the more surprising findings is the low percentage of patients (20.9%) who agree that their GP informs them about prevention programmes. As many as 68.15% patients disagree with this statement, which may indicate a lack of communication between doctors and patients. These results are alarming as they suggest that a significant proportion of the population may be inadequately or incompletely informed about available prevention options. This may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, which in turn affects the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. Lack of information about preventive programmes not only undermines patients' trust in doctors, but may also discourage future health programmes. It is therefore crucial that doctors and health facilities invest in effective methods of communicating with patients about available preventive programmes.
Family support for preventive examinations
The survey results show that 69,98% respondents remind their relatives to participate in preventive screenings, which is a positive sign of awareness of the importance of prevention in society. This involvement at the family level not only increases the chances of early detection of various conditions, but also creates a culture of health in which concern for health status becomes a social norm. One could conclude from this that preventive health information and education seem to be penetrating beyond the doctor-patient relationship and gaining a family dimension. This also raises the question of whether society is ready for more advanced forms of education and prevention programmes to be introduced at the family level. It seems that health promotion initiatives at the home level could be an effective way to increase general health awareness.
Coordinated care in primary care
The question about the role of the GP in coordinating the patient's treatment with other specialists shows divided opinions. 52.34% respondents agree that such coordination is a good thing, while 36.28% disagree. This polarisation may be due to the different experiences of patients and their perception of the effectiveness of such a model of care. For some, coordination by the GP may result in faster access to specialist care and a more consistent treatment plan. For others, it may result in fears of losing the opportunity to directly access specialists or a concern that the GP will not have sufficient competence to coordinate comprehensive care. These findings point to the need for deeper analysis and possible patient education on the advantages and limitations of coordinated care, so that this model can be more accurately adapted to the needs and expectations of the population.
Summary
The results of the survey shed light on various aspects of the functioning of health care in Poland. On the one hand, there is a general consensus on access to preventive examinations, on the other hand, there are clear gaps in communication between doctors and patients. Based on these data, it can be suggested that strengthening communication and coordination between different levels of healthcare can significantly improve the patient experience.