Background:Patients’ satisfaction with provided healthcare services is one of the factors to measure the overall quality of the delivered health care. Main objective of our study was to determine the common predictors associated with patients ‘satisfaction in three Balkan countries.Methods:We conducted web based survey among population in Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria using paid campaign over the social network Facebook. A questionnaire consisted of 31 questions was developed following studies on patients’ satisfaction conducted elsewhere. Descriptive analysis was performed to assess the predictors associated with patients’ satisfaction. In addition we performed content analysis to all open-ended responses.Results and discussion:In total 4118 respondents participated in the survey. Main predictors associated with low users satisfaction with the health care services in three surveyed countries are waiting time to appointments, huge administrative procedures, and attitudes of the medical personnel towards the patients. The analysis showed that there are many similarities in user experiences in three countries, but also there are some differences.Conclusions:The health care systems in these three counties are organized around centralized and monopolistic position of one health insurance fund that serves as main purchaser of health care services. Top three indicators of patients’ satisfaction across three countries are trust and overall satisfaction with the attention of the doctors, as well as satisfaction with the outcome of the treatment. Long waiting time and huge administrative procedures are determined as common predictor for lower patients’ satisfaction across these Balkan countries. Patients’ privacy protection is issue for concern in all three countries.

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Migration has become a very topical political and economic concern over the past few years, with particular reference to human migration from developing countries to more developed countries. Health workforce migration from the countries in Western Balkans, especially from Albania to more developed countries is increasing during the past few years according to official statement of medical associations. So, last three years 400 doctors have asked for certificate of “Good standing” in order to apply for a job abroad. Thus, the migration of healthcare personnel in Albania is becoming a phenomenon that might risk the stability of the healthcare system with its upgrading intensity. It also contributes to lowering the quality of services rendered and at the same time reduces the necessary transfer of knowledge to the younger generations. Quantitative research performed during 2014, outlines and frames the problems and causes for the migration in five basic categories: economic, professional, political, personal and social factors for migration, including questions concerning the index of satisfaction for the profession. In order to respond to the objective of the study, doctors were invited by email to fill online the questionnaire in Survey Monkey webpage. The aim of this paper is to understand the “push” factors which affect the mobility of Albanian healthcare personnel. The needs for higher income, living and working conditions are the main causes of the expansive trend of migration of healthcare workers from Albania in the past several years. Still, the reasons behind migration of health workforce are multifold, ranging from economic and professional, to political and personal factors. The lack of job satisfaction and possibilities for further education and career development, poor working conditions, political pressure, the exposure to verbal and physical violence, are also the factors that stimulate the migration.

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