Financial, Economic Crisis and Quality in Health Services Provision, New Challenges to Improve Quality Policy in the Healthcare System of Greece

Antonia Kountoura,Stavros Emmanouil Stavros Emmanouil,Efthymios Ziagkas Efthymios Ziagkas

doi:10.47577/tssj.v10i1.1186

Abstract

Greece has been severely affected by the global financial and economic crisis, with far-reaching economic, social and political consequences. In 2013, the country was already experiencing its fifth year of recession and was operating within suffocating tax measures. Prior to the crisis, the Greek healthcare system suffered from a wide range of problems. Therefore, it was vulnerable to economic fluctuations and was not properly prepared to meet the changing needs of the population. The aim of this study was firstly to investigate the effect of the economic crisis on the quality of health care in Greece and secondly to propose methods to improve the quality policy of the Greek Health System. A literature review was carried out in order to collect all available information of the relevant literature sources in both Greek and international English-language bibliography. The effects of the economic crisis on the Greek national healthcare system were recorded extendedly. In particular, the effects of the economic crisis on access to health services, the effectiveness of hospital care, the quality of health care provided, the transparency and oversight are analysed. In summary, the need to re-examine and promote a public debate on the health budget, not only in economic terms, but as a development tool for the well-being of citizens, is emphasized. In conclusion, restoring the social values that govern the health care system is a prerequisite for creating a new model for sustainable development

Highlights

Greece has been severely affected by the global financial and economic crisis, with far-reaching economic, social and political consequences
Greece continues to be subject to a process of change and structural reforms, which are determined by the terms of Technium Social Sciences Journal Vol 10, 267-273, August 2020 ISSN: 2668-7798 www.techniumscience.com the loan agreement with the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fundation (IMF) and the Economic Adjustment Program
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the economic crisis on the quality of health care in Greece

Summary

Introduction

Greece has been severely affected by the global financial and economic crisis, with far-reaching economic, social and political consequences. The imposition of spending restrictions on public health spending (at no more than 6% of GDP) and the simultaneous decline in GDP (since 2009, with further reductions in the years that followed) mean that the public health sector is required to meet the growing needs of the population with the reduction of financial resources This has negative consequences, especially for mediumand low-income households that do not have the income to meet their needs in private health care providers. A new organization, the National Center for Quality Assessment and Health Technology (EKAPTY), was established in 2010 to certify quality management systems and is being evaluated by the Biological Materials Research Center (EKEVYL) These measures are expected to have a positive impact, some other aspects of the operation of the health system raise questions about the quality of services.

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion