Assessment of the state of medical sphere in Ukraine: June 2018

• 38% rate the level of professionalism and competence of the doctors in Ukraine as high. In contrast, 54% have the opposite opinion. The rates of the doctors’ professionalism are somewhat higher in the East as compared to other regions. Also, the presence of a doctor in the family and acquaintance with a family doctor positively influence the level of competence approval.

• 55% know their family doctor or physician, 44% – do not know. The relatively higher level of awareness was recorded among the women and older people. 

• 86% have heard about the national program "Doctor for each family", 12% don’t know about it. 70% said they supported this program. Western regions are more likely to perceive this innovation. Also, somewhat higher level of support is observed among the young respondents and those who know their family doctor.

• 36% stated that they had already chosen a family doctor and signed a contract with him/her, 63% - have not yet done this. The respondents from the East, elder people, and urban residents noted that they had chosen their family doctor more often than others. Among those who have already signed a contract, 82% are satisfied with their doctor and only 7% expressed dissatisfaction.

• 22% of the respondents indicated that they have someone who works in professional medicine in their families (namely, a doctor, a nurse, a speech therapist, a psychologist, etc.).

• 73% support the voluntary vaccination of children against diseases such as poliomyelitis, measles, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, etc.; 21% - do not support. In the case of compulsory vaccination, the level of support is somewhat lower: 66% support and 27% do not support. Voluntary vaccination is somewhat better perceived by younger respondents and women. Instead, the mandatory vaccination is relatively more supported by older people.

• 68% said they had heard about the "Available Medicines" program, which provides pharmacies with free medicines for patients with chronic illnesses, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and bronchial asthma. 31% do not know anything about it. A higher level of awareness is observed among older respondents and those with medical staff in their families.

• 50% support the introduction of the principle of healthcare financing when money follows the patient. 20% - expressed the opposite opinion, 17% said they neither supported the old system of financing nor the new one, 14% could not answer on this matter. The highest level of support for the new model of healthcare budgetary funds distribution is observed in the Western and Central regions, among the younger respondents and urban residents.

• 49% of the polled noted that they had heard about the Law of Ukraine "On improving the availability and quality of medical care in the rural areas" coming into force, according to which 5 billion hryvnias were allocated for the development of the healthcare in the countryside: purchase of new ambulances, provision of transport for doctors, Internet set-up, and purchase of medical equipment. 49% said they did not know anything about it. More often than others, the elderly respondents stated that they were aware of this law initiative. Among those who have heard of the adoption of this Law, more than 80% support this idea, and only 12% do not support it.

• Among the services that could be provided by the eHealth electronic service, which is gradually being introduced in Ukraine, the most convenient for the polled are: checking and comparing prices in pharmacies - 66% stated that it would be convenient for them to do this using this system, 29% expressed the opposite opinion. Making appointments with doctors, checking their medical history, signing contracts with the family doctor, printing official prescriptions for medicines would be convenient for 50% to 60% of the polled and inconvenient for 35% to 40%. Instead, the potential of eHealth in terms of receiving medical consultations through videoconferences has opposing assessments: 46% would consider it convenient while the same number - inconvenient. Receiving these services through an electronic system is definitely better perceived by younger and middle-aged people. Instead, the oldest believe such a way of communication to be inconvenient. Also, getting medical services through eHealth is considered more convenient by men and those with higher incomes.

• 56% of the polled indicated that they had not been asked to pay a bribe for medical services over the last 12 months, 15% indicated that they had faced corruption while receiving medical services. 27% said they had not visited a doctor over this period. The residents of the Southern regions, younger people, and those with higher incomes have faced such kind of corruption relatively more often. At the same time, 27% said they had made a gift (sweets, alcohol, etc.) as gratitude for medical treatment or medical services over the last 12 months. 40% indicated that they had had no such experience. Young people and those with higher incomes have expressed their gratitude for the medical services in such a way more often than others.  Also, this way of expressing gratitude was more often used in the West and Center.

• Two-thirds support the introduction of a system of healthcare costs distributing, when a certain part is paid by the state and the other is paid by the patient, 25% - stand against such an initiative. The co-financing of healthcare costs was more often supported in the Western and Central regions, by younger people, and those with higher incomes. In its turn, among those who do not mind such a system of healthcare costs financing, 33% indicated that they were ready to spend no more than 5% of the total value, 26% - no more than 10%, 13% - no more than 20%, and 14% - a quarter. Once again, the younger respondents and those with higher incomes are more likely to participate in co-financing and pay up to a quarter of the general healthcare cost.

• More than 80% stated that they supported the introduction of a new system of standardized admission exams for medical universities students in Ukraine, based on the international practices and requirements for admission to medical universities. The same number believes that the graduation exam for a doctor's diploma at the educational establishment should be complex and difficult (52% - very difficult, 35% - rather difficult). Only 7% were in favor of simplifying exams for medical students.

• 58% of the respondents consider the Ministry of Health important for themselves and their families. In its turn, 35% of the polled expressed the opposite opinion. The importance of the profile ministry was relatively more often noted by the residents of the Western regions, younger respondents, and those with doctors in their families.