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

Author

Listed:
  • Óscar Brito Fernandes

    (Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary
    Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • 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
    Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Zsombor Zrubka

    (Health Economics Research Center, University Research and Innovation Center, Óbuda University, Bécsi út 96/B, H-1034 Budapest, Hungary
    Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Petra Baji

    (Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Óscar Brito Fernandes & Armin Lucevic & Márta Péntek & Dionne Kringos & Niek Klazinga & László Gulácsi & Zsombor Zrubka & Petra Baji, 2021. "Self-Reported Waiting Times for Outpatient Health Care Services in Hungary: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey on a National Representative Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2213-:d:504741
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Óscar Brito Fernandes & Márta Péntek & Dionne Kringos & Niek Klazinga & László Gulácsi & Petra Baji, 2020. "Eliciting preferences for outpatient care experiences in Hungary: A discrete choice experiment with a national representative sample," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, July.
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    3. Óscar Brito Fernandes & Petra Baji & Dionne Kringos & Niek Klazinga & László Gulácsi & Armin Lucevic & Imre Boncz & Márta Péntek, 2019. "Patient experiences with outpatient care in Hungary: results of an online population survey," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(1), pages 79-90, June.
    4. Lublóy, Ágnes & Keresztúri, Judit Lilla & Benedek, Gábor, 2017. "Lower fragmentation of coordination in primary care is associated with lower prescribing drug costs-lessons from chronic illness care in Hungary," Corvinus Economics Working Papers (CEWP) 2017/04, Corvinus University of Budapest.
    5. Fanni Rencz & Béla Tamási & Valentin Brodszky & László Gulácsi & Miklós Weszl & Márta Péntek, 2019. "Validity and reliability of the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) in a national survey in Hungary," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(1), pages 43-55, June.
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