Physicians' Views on Resource Availability and Equity in European Health Care Systems
Author Information
Author(s): Samia A Hurst, Reidun Forde, Stella Reiter-Theil, Anne-Marie Slowther, Arnaud Perrier, Renzo Pegoraro, Marion Danis
Primary Institution: Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Geneva University Medical School
Hypothesis
What are physicians' perceptions of resource allocation and its consequences in different European health care systems?
Conclusion
Physicians are willing to participate in cost-containment decisions and report significant disparities in resource availability and health care equity.
Supporting Evidence
- 87.7% of physicians perceived some resources as scarce.
- 45.6% reported instances of underinsurance despite universal coverage.
- 68% reported adverse outcomes from scarcity.
Takeaway
Doctors in Europe see that there aren't enough resources for everyone, and they want to help decide how to share what there is.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey of generalist physicians in Norway, Switzerland, Italy, and the UK.
Potential Biases
Potential non-response bias due to lack of interest or time among physicians.
Limitations
The study may not represent all medical specialties and had a modest response rate.
Participant Demographics
Respondents ranged in age from 28 to 82, predominantly male (85%), with an average of 25 years in practice.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.2–0.8
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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