Title:
Assessment of Social Characteristics, Access to and Satisfaction with Healthcare Services in the Population of Georgia

Authors:
Nino Gokieli Candidate, Shalva Zarnadze, MD, MPH, Irine Zarnadze, MD, MPH, Lili Lomtadze, Marina KajriSvili, Tamar Bakradze, Georgia

Abstract:

Background:  The objective of the study was to assess social characteristics, access to and satisfaction with health care services in the population of the country of Georgia. Methods: An observational study conducted in 2019 enrolled randomly selected adult participants 18 years and older, who could speak Georgian, and provided informed consent. The respondents were asked to complete the structured questionnaire, which collected demographic data, information on social conditions, and access to health care services and satisfaction. Results: Of 850 respondents, 71.0% were male, 49.3% were 35-60 years old, and 63% lived in the capital city Tbilisi. An income per one family member was below one hundred GEL in 28.0% of the participants in Tbilisi vs. 36.0% of those from the regions (p=0.029).  Satisfaction with medical services differed by social packages: 40.0-42.0% of the beneficiaries of insurance and social assistance vs. 27.0% of those not using social services were satisfied with the qualifications of medical personnel (p<0.001); 18.0% of insurance holders vs. 7.5% of the group not using social services considered healthcare costs affordable (p<0.001). Participants with private insurance showed significantly higher level of satisfaction with the provided medical service as compared to consumers of Universal Healthcare (24.6% vs. 8.7%, p<0.001). Conclusions:  The findings demonstrated that, level of satisfaction with Universal Healthcare services remains low. Further research is needed to develop changes in existing social and healthcare state programs to increase coverage of healthcare needs and improve quality of care.  

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2021.5217