ANALYSIS OF TRANSITION OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN CROATIA: THE HEALTH CARE USERS’ OPINION

Abstract

Summary. The project »Analysis of transition of health care system in Croatia« was started in order to research the effects of health care system changes. The aim was to research specific characteristics of transitional period through evaluation of health status, quality of life, and quality of health care. Total of 331 general practitioners, 2,252 patients and 5,048 inhabitants were included in the research. The Croatian version of SF-36 questionnaire was licensed to Andrija [tampar School of Public Health in order to assess health-related quality of life. Men, younger and better-educated respondents achieved higher scores in SF-36 quality of life assessment. Quality of life is lower in Croatia than in Western European countries. 85.3% of respondents were satisfied with physicians’ behaviour. Two components of physician’s behaviour were obtained – competence/expertise and empathy. These results could contribute to better understanding of health care reform effects.