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Patients\u2019 Opinions on Family Doctor Accessibility in Estonia<\/strong><\/p>\n PHD Ruth Kalda, PHD Kaja P\u00f5lluste1<\/sup>, PHD Heidi-Ingrid Maaroos, PHD Margus Lember2<\/sup>. Departments of Polyclinic and Family Medicine; Public Health 1<\/sup>; and Internal Medicine 2<\/sup>, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Aim. To investigate the accessibility of family doctors in Estonia from the patients\u2019 point of view.<\/p>\n Methods. Face to face interviews using structured questionnaires were performed. A random sample of the Estonian residents, aged 15-74 years, was studied (n=999).<\/p>\n Results. The number of visits provided by family doctors has been continuously increasing since1998. Out of 999 respondents, 59 % visited the family doctor during the previous 12 months. The average number of visits per Estonian resident in one year is 2.48. Out of 999 interviewed persons, 72 % said that they had a possibility of contacting their family doctor by phone. The waiting time for an appointment was short in most cases. The family doctor admitted 60 % of the Respondents on the same day the patients had requested; 22 % of the patients were admitted within 1-2 days and 9% of the patients were admitted within 3-4 days. Only 9% of them had to wait more than 5 days. The current home visit fee in Estonia would have affected the decision of the home call of 58 % of people. There was a correlation between the acceptability of a visit fee and the people\u2019s income.<\/p>\n Conclusion. The accessibility of family doctors can be considered good in Estonia.<\/p>\n Key words:<\/strong> family practice; health care reform; health services accessibility.<\/p>\nKalda R, P\u00f5lluste K, Maaroos H-I, Lember M. Patients\u2019 Opinions on Family Doctor Accessibility in Estonia. Shidnoevr. z. vnutr. simejnoi med. 2015;2:50-54.<\/h5>\n
http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.15407\/internalmed2015.02.050<\/a><\/h5>\n