Evaluation of family physicians’ attitude towards primary healthcare consultations

BACKGROUND: The quality of services in the health care system is very important for both patients’ health and health care providers. In the past decade, good service ratings from the patient's perspective have become crucial in evaluating the work of medical professionals and health care institutions. However, it is also important to consider the opinions of health care specialists, especially when it comes to medical consultation, which is one of the most important components of primary health care (PHC) chain. AIM: To evaluate the attitude of family physicians (FP) towards consultations provided in PHC. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2022. December - 2023 in February. The research contingent is FP of Lithuania. Research method - quantitative momentary research, anonymous questionnaire survey, 206 subjects were interviewed. Calculated chi-square (χ2) and z-criterion. RESULTS: The majority of FP indicated that they involve the patient in the decision-making process (68.0%), those working in private institutions said so more often than those working in public institutions (p < 0.05). 89.3% of the subjects stated that the consultation time with the patient is not enough, and 70.4% respondents receive many unregistered patient visits per day. E-health makes it difficult for 81.1%, 86.4% of the respondents indicated that there is too much of a workload and this was mostly said by respondents working in public institutions (p < 0.05). Remote consultations facilitate the workflow (76.2%). The older age of the respondents and greater work experience lead to lower self-confidence during remote consultation, longer consultation time and less belief in the benefits of remote consultation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most FP positively evaluate the consultation they provide, but they also said that the consultation time is insufficient, they must consult a number of unregistered patients, e-health complicates the work. Remote consultations facilitate the workflow. KEY MESSAGES: • The consultation time is insufficient. • Remote consultations facilitate the workflow.