Self-Reported Waiting Times for Outpatient Health Care Services in Hungary: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey on a National Representative Sample

Óscar Brito Fernandes, Armin Lucevic, Márta Péntek, Dionne Kringos, Niek Klazinga, László Gulácsi, Zsombor Zrubka and Petra Baji
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Óscar Brito Fernandes: Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary
Armin Lucevic: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Márta Péntek: Health Economics Research Center, University Research and Innovation Center, Óbuda University, Bécsi út 96/B, H-1034 Budapest, Hungary
Dionne Kringos: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Niek Klazinga: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
László Gulácsi: Health Economics Research Center, University Research and Innovation Center, Óbuda University, Bécsi út 96/B, H-1034 Budapest, Hungary
Zsombor Zrubka: Health Economics Research Center, University Research and Innovation Center, Óbuda University, Bécsi út 96/B, H-1034 Budapest, Hungary

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background : System-level data on waiting time in the outpatient setting in Hungary is scarce. The objective of the study was to explore self-reported waiting time for an appointment and at a doctor’s office. (2) Methods : An online, cross-sectional, self-administered survey was carried out in 2019 in Hungary among a representative sample (n = 1000) of the general adult population. Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were carried out to explore if socioeconomic characteristics, health status, or residence were associated with waiting times and the perception of waiting time as a problem. (3) Results : Proportions of 90%, 41%, and 64% of respondents were seen within a week by family doctor, public specialist, and private specialist, respectively. One-third of respondents waited more than a month to get an appointment with a public specialist. Respondents in better health status reported shorter waiting times; those respondents were less likely to perceive a problem with: (1) waiting time to get an appointment (OR = 0.400) and (2) waiting time at a doctor’s office (OR = 0.519). (4) Conclusions : Longest waiting times were reported for public specialist visits, but waiting times were favorable for family doctors and private specialists. Further investigation is needed to better understand potential inequities affecting people in worse health status.

Keywords: waiting time; patient experiences; outpatient care; EQ-5D-5L; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2213-:d:504741

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