Public satisfaction with health system coverage, empirical evidence from SHARE data

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Public satisfaction with healthcare systems and coverage is a persistent concern.
• Research is ongoing to identify the primary drivers of this satisfaction.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for policy development and system improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the key factors influencing public satisfaction with basic health system coverage.
• To analyze individual and country-level determinants of health system satisfaction.
• To provide evidence for policies aimed at enhancing user satisfaction with healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database.
• Employed an ordered logistic regression model for data analysis.
• Included individual factors (trust, political views, risk aversion) and country-level factors (specialist access, financing type).

Main Results:

• Key predictors of satisfaction include trust in others, unmet health needs, and self-assessed health.
• Free access to specialists, social insurance financing, and out-of-pocket payments also significantly influenced satisfaction.
• Individual socioeconomic characteristics were considered alongside these additional factors.

Conclusions:

• Trust, health status, access to care, and financing mechanisms are critical for health system satisfaction.
• Findings offer a basis for targeted policy interventions to improve user experiences with healthcare.
• The study highlights the interplay between individual perceptions and systemic features in shaping satisfaction.