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Unmet medical needs in ambulatory care in Hungary: forgone visits and medications from a representative population survey

Author

Listed:
  • Armin Lucevic

    (Corvinus University of Budapest
    University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute)

  • Márta Péntek

    (Corvinus University of Budapest)

  • Dionne Kringos

    (University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute)

  • Niek Klazinga

    (University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute)

  • László Gulácsi

    (Corvinus University of Budapest)

  • Óscar Brito Fernandes

    (Corvinus University of Budapest
    University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute)

  • Imre Boncz

    (University of Pécs)

  • Petra Baji

    (Corvinus University of Budapest)

Abstract

Background The objective of this paper is to explore unmet health care needs in Hungary in ambulatory care due to costs and difficulties in travelling, and to analyze how unmet needs relate to socio-demographic characteristics. Methods The quantitative analysis is based on a national, representative online survey carried out in Hungary on a sample of 1000 respondents in early 2019 using a proposed set of questions developed by the OECD. We present and compare unmet medical needs in different socio-demographic groups, and we use multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the main determinants of unmet medical needs. Results Among responders who had medical problems in the last 12 months, 27.3% reported forgone medical visit due to difficulties in travelling, 24.2% had unfilled prescription for medicine due to costs, 21.4% reported forgone medical visit or follow-up visit due to costs and 16.6% reported skipped medical test, treatment or other follow-up due to costs. These shares are much higher than presented previously in international databases. The logistic model indicates that respondents were significantly more likely to report unmet needs if they were women, younger or belonged to first and second income quintiles. Conclusions Policy makers need to address the issue of high prevalence of forgone medical care among the Hungarian population to avoid deterioration of population health and inequalities in access. As a first step, policies should try to decrease financial burden of vulnerable groups to improve access.

Suggested Citation

  • Armin Lucevic & Márta Péntek & Dionne Kringos & Niek Klazinga & László Gulácsi & Óscar Brito Fernandes & Imre Boncz & Petra Baji, 2019. "Unmet medical needs in ambulatory care in Hungary: forgone visits and medications from a representative population survey," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(1), pages 71-78, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:20:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10198-019-01063-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-019-01063-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Péter Elek & Balázs Váradi & Márton Varga, 2015. "Effects of Geographical Accessibility on the Use of Outpatient Care Services: Quasi‐Experimental Evidence from Panel Count Data," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(9), pages 1131-1146, September.
    2. Rie Fujisawa & Nicolaas S. Klazinga, 2017. "Measuring patient experiences (PREMS): Progress made by the OECD and its member countries between 2006 and 2016," OECD Health Working Papers 102, OECD Publishing.
    3. Petra Baji & Imre Boncz & György Jenei & László Gulácsi, 2012. "Comparing cost-sharing practices for pharmaceuticals and health care services among four central European countries," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 34(2), pages 221-240, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Forgone care; Unmet medical needs; Access; Ambulatory care; Hungary;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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