Barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among 109,928 adults in Poland

Abstract

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significant socio-economic implications for numerous industries, including healthcare. Disruptions of essential health services were reported by nearly all countries around the world. A detailed assessment of the healthcare uptake is necessary to estimate the potential health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with the disturbed access to healthcare during the pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was carried out among Internet users in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview technique. Data were collected between October and December 2021. The questionnaire included 32 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 pandemic, health status, daily habits as well as the use of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsData were obtained from 102928 adults, the mean age was 48.0 ± 14.2 years, and 57.2% were females. Most of the respondents had visited a doctor during the past 12 months (70.4%). Almost half of adults in Poland (49.7%) reported barriers to access health services in the past 12 months. Out of 51,105 respondents who had experienced barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, only 54.3% had visited a doctor in the past 12 months. Long waiting time (39.5%) and temporary closure of healthcare facilities/transformation into a COVID-19 dedicated center (28.8%) were the most common barriers indicated by the respondents. In multivariable logistic regression, female gender, age 18–49 years, lack of higher education, living in cities between 51,000 and 200,000 residents or above 500,000 residents, and having at least one chronic disease were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with higher odds of experiencing barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsThis study confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened access to health services in Poland. During the pandemic, new barriers to accessing health services, such as the temporary closure of healthcare facilities for non-COVID patients were revealed. Findings from this study provided patients' perspectives on barriers to accessing health services in Poland that may be used by policymakers to reduce health inequalities.

Factors associated with the use of public eHealth services in Poland – a 2022 nationwide cross-sectional survey

“…The findings of this study suggest that teleconsultations will be used as a well-tolerated alternative to face-to-face visits, even after the end of the pandemic. Females and those who had a child were more likely to use teleconsultations that may result from their health needs and higher healthcare utilization [18,33]. In the current study, occupationally active participants and those who lived in cities with at least 100,000 residents were more likely to use teleconsultation.…”

“…In the current study, over one-third of participants had used teleconsultation in the last 12 months. By 2022, most of the anti-epidemic measures in Poland had been abolished, including the return to stationary activities of medical facilities [18]. The findings of this study suggest that teleconsultations will be used as a well-tolerated alternative to face-to-face visits, even after the end of the pandemic.…”

“…The doctor providing teleconsultation is obligated to confirm the patient's identity and make an appropriate note in the medical documentation informing about the form of medical consultation and treatment. Teleconsultation significantly facilitates contact between the doctor and patient, and contributed to the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic [18].…”

Feelings of Polish and Palestinian Students after Receiving Vaccinations against COVID-19

“…Research from 2021 shows that with the generally good condition of primary health care (POZ), almost 50% of Poles reported barriers in accessing health services in the last 12 months. The most frequently indicated were long waiting times and temporary closure of health care facilities [ 24 ]. It should be added that primary health care (POZ) provides comprehensive and coordinated health care services at the place of residence to all eligible persons residing/staying in the territory of Poland.…”

Use of the Internet for Health Purposes—A National Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has had an important impact on the development of eHealth services as well as the global use of the Internet for health purposes [ 18 ]. In many countries, anti-epidemic measures limited access to health services, which was compensated by the development of telehealth services [ 19 , 20 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of the Internet as a source of health information has significantly increased.…”