health Frequently cited problems include difficulty accessing diagnostic tests and follow-up consultations (14%), delays in care and abnormal delays long for a first consultation
Mostly cared for in the public hospital, half of the patients who participated in the study encountered difficulties in accessing care over the last twelve months. — A. GELEBART/20 MINUTES
One out of two chronic patients testifies to difficulties in accessing care over the past twelve months, according to a survey published on Tuesday by a new collective of patient associations, which are alarmed by the situation at the public hospital.
This flash survey was conducted in October with 1,705 patients (or caregivers) and 309 carers by Action Patients, a collective created by in September and bringing together associations of chronic patients.
Difficulties of access, postponements of care and abnormally long delays
Within this new movement are around thirty associations, some of which are also members of the France Assos Santé user network, such as the French Association of Hemophiliacs (AFH), Transh&epate and Vaincre Cystic fibrosis. Patients with cancer, leukemia, transplants, kidney failure, dialysis or suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are also represented.
Mostly supported at; the public hospital (more than 80%), the patients who participated to the study have, for half (49 %), met difficulties accessing care over the past 12 months.
Frequently cited problems include difficulties in access to; diagnostic examinations (19 %) and follow-up consultations (14 %), postponements of care (15 %) and abnormally long delays for a first consultation (14 %).
A health impact physical and psychological
Out of more than 300 patients who experienced impaired access to care, a large majority believes it has had an impact on their health; physical (more than 62 %) and psychological (81 %) or on that of their loved ones. In the end, 44% of the patients surveyed felt quite worried, even very worried about the management of their disease.
Caregivers are even more alarmed: they consider more than 85% that patient care has deteriorated over the past year and more than 75% that this degradation has caused loss of opportunity. Eight out of ten caregivers believe that this deterioration is due to a “lack of nurses or other healthcare workers” an insufficient number of doctors.
“While more than 80% of caregivers consider that without reform of the health system, the quality and patient care will deteriorate to the point of endangering” their health, “the public authorities continue to adopt emergency measures to try to “hold” from a crisis to a crisis. the other”, laments Action Patients in a press release.