A survey shows that the French have a look at their health system that is not absent from criticism. One in two is particularly worried about equal access to healthcare.
The Health System Users Foundation announced on Thursday the official launch of its activities “with a view to improving the health system, advancing health democracy and better defending the rights of patients”. Cardiologist and Member of Parliament (PS) Jean Leonetti, known for his commitment to the rights of end-of-life patients, has been appointed to his presidency. And obviously, the task will be difficult.
In fact, in an Ifop survey (1) carried out for the Foundation, the French provide a critical look at the French health system. If 80% of the people questioned indicated that it “globally” meets their expectations, one in two French people (49%) nevertheless considers that “insufficient” resources are devoted to equal access for all to health care. quality.
Regarding prevention, a large majority of respondents (88%) say they are “interested” in this question, but only 59% believe that there are enough preventive and health promotion actions.
A lack of explanations at the hospital
Therapeutic education also remains an “obscure” notion for 1 in 2 French people (50%) and 65% admit not knowing, for example, the benefits and side effects of their treatments. A figure which echoes the 41% of French people who believe that the acts and examinations carried out in the hospital have not been explained to them in advance in a clear manner. However, in general, patients say they are satisfied with their last experience in a hospital establishment (public or private), or that of a family member, with 84% who consider that the quality of care was “good”. “.
And concerning the rights of patients (advance directives, interruption of treatment, etc.) the shoe pinches still. In the wake of a worrying poll by the CISS (2), 41% of French people here admit that they do not see precisely what it is. In addition, according to them, there remains “progress to be made on the coordination of the care path for 41% of the people questioned”, who consider as “bad” the way in which health professionals coordinate with each other for the patient care.
Improve access to healthcare
Finally, when asked about the three areas on which action should be taken as a priority to improve things, the quality of care comes first for 70% of respondents, followed by equal access to care (56%) and cooperation and dialogue between health professionals to ensure optimal quality of care (48%).
In order to try to improve things on these different aspects, the Foundation for users of the health system has therefore planned to launch calls for projects in the direction of associations, health establishments, and care structures. “The best projects in terms of prevention, patient rights, improved care, etc., will be selected and will be eligible for funding from the Foundation,” she said. .
“Through these calls for projects, we hope to be a force for action to allow, based on concrete initiatives in the field, to advance the rights and duties of users of our health system”, concludes Jean Leonetti.
(1) This survey was carried out online from March 21 to 29 by Ifop with a sample of 2,000 people representative of the French population, aged 18 and over, using the quota method.
(2) Interassociative Health Collective
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