One out of every two professionals thinks Spaniards’ health has deteriorated over these 5 years.

PHARMACEUTICAL MAGAZINE | 12.12.2022 – 12:43

While more than half of the health professionals surveyed think that the Spanish population is in good health (58.7%), a significant percentage (34.9%) believe that their health is regular, which is also confirmed by the results of the ‘Dissatisfied Survey’. Health Needs by Hiris de la Sanidad.

Regarding the evolution of the health status of the Hispanic population, almost half (44.6%) think it has gotten slightly worse over the last five years and 5% think it has gotten much worse. 23.8% think that it has slightly improved, while 20.1% think it remains stable.

Among the population groups that health professionals think have the highest unmet health needs, the elderly (79.2%) come first, people with mental illnesses (61.4%), and rural areas come to the fore in the third place. population (48.7%) and disabled people (43.6%) take the fourth place. Other groups such as foreigners or immigrants (16.1%), those working in high-risk occupations (14.1%) and the unemployed are far behind. Task (9.1%), children (7.4%), young people (5.4%) and women (4%).

Social class and economic differences (68.1%) and general education level (67.1%) are the social determinants of health that, in the opinion of health professionals, have the greatest impact on the health of individuals. patients. Other determinants underlined by health professionals are family and social environment (56.4%), attention dependence and fragility (46.3%) and the status and quality of employment (37.6%). When asked about the social determinants of health that are more likely to improve from public administrations, dependency and vulnerability (70.5%) and general education level (68.8%) draw attention.

this to smoke (66.4%) and obesity (65.1%) are the individual determinants that health professionals consider to have the highest incidence on patients’ health. This is followed by dietary habits (48%), physical activity (45%) and alcohol (26.8%). Those most likely to recover are also in the same ranking: smoking (67.8%), obesity (59.7%), nutrition (54%), physical activity (38.9%) and alcohol consumption (24%). %)

Regarding access to and use of health services, the majority of health professionals (60.7%) consider that access to early population diagnosis programs is one of the most important ways to protect health. This is followed by community health promotion and education programs (48.3%) and access to curative health services – primary care and specialist consultations, hospitalization, emergency services, emergencies– (41.6%). Taking care of health and preventing diseases (39.6%), child vaccination programs (37.9%), and access to social and health services (23.5%). Regarding health care activities that require a higher priority of action to improve the health of the population, health professionals rank very similarly, with access to population early detection programs (55.4%) in first place. Community health promotion and education programs come in second place (52.3%), people’s education and skills in maintaining health and preventing diseases (46.3%) and access to primary curative health services are in fourth place. care and specialist consultations, hospitalization, emergency services- (45.6%).

Sanity

Health professionals emphasize depression and disorders anxiety The problem with the highest level of unmet needs (6.6 points out of 10), while cancer is the disease that should be given the highest priority (7.3 out of 10 points).

Other chronic diseases with more unmet needs and priority to act according to experts are neurodegenerative diseases (6.37 in unmet needs; 6.84 priority in improving the way care is delivered), oral health (6.13 in unmet needs; 5.77) participation style. primarily to improve) and ache (6.08 on unmet needs; 7.04 on priority to improve the way care is delivered).

Waiting lists (76.7% of professionals see this as a serious access difficulty) and lack of health education (59.5%) are considered the main barriers patients face in accessing health services. This is followed by geographical or transportation barriers (31.8%), economic barriers (28.4%), lack of funding for drugs and innovative treatments (26.4%), and difficulties in getting help outside their autonomous communities (23.6%). Regarding waiting lists and delays in care, healthcare professionals describe the waiting time for a GP appointment (25.7%) as the most serious or worrisome.

In addition, professionals cite waiting lists (83.8%) as the hurdle that has worsened the most in the last two years. This is followed by lack of health education (48%) and economic barriers (46.6%).

Consistent with this concern, the statement with the highest rate of agreement (85.8%) among healthcare professionals is “I find patients in my practice who subscribe to private insurance policies to avoid waiting lists”. It will be “I find patients with severe pathologies in my practice due to the current waiting lists in the public service” (80.4%).