Citizens’ opinions on some aspects of the activities of general practitioners 2024

Býma S, Javorská K, Halata D, Borský P. Citizens’ opinions on some aspects of the activities of general practitioners 2024

Background: The Czech Society of General Practitioners (CSPG) periodically monitors citizens’ opinions on selected aspects of healthcare and healthy lifestyle issues. This publication follows up on previous results of surveys conducted in 2015–2024.

Aim and methods: The aim of the research was to find out what citizens’ opinions are on selected parts of the work of general practitioners (GPs) and on the healthcare system and their role in it. To conduct a representative sociological survey of citizens’ opinions in the Czech Republic, the method of controlled interview between the interviewer and the respondent (face-to-face), implemented by a professional agency, was chosen. Statistical data processing was performed using the SASD 1.5.8 program (Statistical Analysis of Social Data). The conclusions of the research are representative of citizens of the Czech Republic in terms of their gender, age and region.

Results: Citizens of the Czech Republic are in most cases satisfied with the care and time that a general practitioner devotes to them during their visit, and only a small part (6.8%) of them have a negative opinion. The highest satisfaction with the care of a general practitioner and the time they devote to them has returned to the level of 2018–2020, i.e. to the level before the covid-19 pandemic. It can also be stated that citizens of the Czech Republic are satisfied with the work of a nurse in their general practitioner’s office, and only a small part (5.4%) of them also have a negative opinion. Citizens perceive team practices positively, although (56.9%) prefer that they are always treated only by“their” general practitioner, which can be ensured within the framework of an ordering system. There are still significant reserves in the Czech Republic in the area of preventive care and only about 50% of citizens actively participate in it. The combination of VPL activities and citizens’ own motivation to improve their health is proving to be strong in the future. 80% of respondents rate prevention as important for improving their health and 75.4% of respondents would respect advice on lifestyle changes from a VPL or a specialist doctor as part of preventive care. Just under 1/3 (30.8%) of citizens believe that they live a healthy lifestyle, almost ½ (48.0%) of citizens believe that they live a healthy lifestyle occasionally. Citizens believe that the greatest risk that threatens them is lack of exercise (27.0%), another 23.7% of respondents identified poor nutrition as the greatest risk, 20.0% of citizens consider stress at work to be the greatest risk, and 19.8% lack of sleep. According to the respondents, the least risk is stress at home (indicated by 9.5% of respondents). The results will be used within the framework of the planned changes in preventive care for primary health care in the Czech Republic.