Views and Experiences of Health Service Users in Greece During 2012-2018

Cureus. 2022 Dec 21;14(12):e32769. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32769. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Abstract

During the period of 2012-2018, a series of reforms took place in the Greek health care system. These reforms focused on both the health expenditure and the efficiency and quality of health services provided. In this qualitative study, we examined whether these improvements were visible to health service users based on their personal experiences with the health care system, using thematic content analysis to evaluate the research data. The results indicated that the reforms did not meet the original objectives in several fields such as primary health care, health expenditure streamlining, health service affordability, and confidence in the health care system and professionals. Further interventions are required to improve the status of the Greek health care system.

Keywords: greece; health care reform; primary health care; public health; qualitative research.