Russia: Customer attitude to free medicine
Dmitry Shimanov, General Director of MAR Consult Research Agency
The research was focused on women's attitude to free medicine. Respondents were to estimate free medicine services on a 5-point scale (1 -- negative attitude, 5 -- positive attitude). The target group was comprised of women aged 50 - 74 as key representatives of the free medicine consumer segment. The research geography embraced Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Saratov. 700 people were interviewed.
Under actual market conditions commercial medicine is developing dynamically and outstripping the quality of service of free medicine. According to respondents' estimation, two basic trends were determined: positive attitude to availability of free medicine, on the one hand, and negative attitude to its quality, on the other hand.
Most respondents (62%) gave a positive evaluation of free medicine (4-5 points on a 5-point scale). Less than a half of respondents (38%) said the quality of free medicine was poor (1 -- 3 points).
Those, whose perception of free medicine was positive, said that most people could not afford fee-for-service medicine (30%). Most respondents (83%) cannot afford any expenses, except food.
Free medicine, no matter how poor its quality may be, is necessary, because it guarantees help to everyone, regardless of the level of income (over 12%). The existing flaws should be endured, otherwise all lower-income people will be destined for extinction (about 8%).
Free medicine-related aspects mentioned by respondents include: absence of the necessary drugs and doctors (about 5%), poorly qualified doctors (over 4%) and doctors unwilling to work for free (over 7%); inefficient treatment (about 12%). One-tenth of respondents (about 10%) said doctors do not pay enough attention and show little regard for patients.
Positive aspects of free medicine were mentioned by few respondents (less than 6%), including: free drugs, good work of ambulance, convenient services, free hospital admission and free and free consultation.
Only 6% of respondents are satisfied with the quality of free medicine. The general level of confidence in doctors is extremely low (about 3%).
The high estimation of free medicine is explained by lack of alternatives, while its quality leaves much to be desired. Positive attitude of most respondents to state-funded medical care refers to the very fact that it exists rather than to its quality, which is perceived as rather low.
Contributing Company:
MAR Consult Research Agency. Moscow, Russia.
Contact: Dmitry Shimanov. info@marconsult.ru +7 (495) 660-82-20.
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