Patient experiences with outpatient care in Hungary: results of an online population survey

Óscar Brito Fernandes, Petra Baji, Dionne Kringos, Niek Klazinga, László Gulácsi, Armin Lucevic, Imre Boncz and Márta Péntek ()
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Óscar Brito Fernandes: Corvinus University of Budapest
Dionne Kringos: Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam
Niek Klazinga: Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam
László Gulácsi: Corvinus University of Budapest
Armin Lucevic: Corvinus University of Budapest
Imre Boncz: University of Pécs
Márta Péntek: Corvinus University of Budapest

The European Journal of Health Economics, 2019, vol. 20, issue 1, No 8, 79-90

Abstract: Abstract Background Health systems are undertaking efforts to make health care more patient centered and value based. To achieve this goal, the use of patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) is increasing, especially across OECD countries. However, in Hungary, data on patients’ experiences are still lacking. Thus, our aim was twofold: first, to collect data on outpatient experience in Hungary on patient–doctor communication and patient involvement in decision making and compare it with that of other OECD countries; second, to assess associations of outpatient experience with patients’ socioeconomic characteristics. Methods In early 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional, online, self-administered survey in a national representative sample of Hungary’s population (n = 1000). The sample was weighted considering gender, age, highest education level attained, type of settlement, and region of residence. The survey questions were based on a set of recommended questions by the OECD. Results Our findings show that the proportion of reported positive experiences is as follows: doctors providing easy-to-understand explanations (93.1%) followed by time spent on the consultation (87.5%), opportunities to raise questions (85.8%), and doctors involving patients in decision making about care and treatment (80.1%). The share of positive experiences falls behind OECD’s average regarding patient–doctor communication and patient involvement in decision making, which signals room for improvement in these areas. Conclusions Women, younger people, people with a paid job, and patients with consultations with allied health professionals reported significant lesser positive care experiences and, hence, more targeted policies can be initiated based on our findings.

Keywords: Patient-reported experience measure; Quality of care; Outpatient care; OECD; Survey; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C83 I12 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10198-019-01064-z

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