Title : Future medical professionals on health system in Poland - medical universities students opinion
Abstract:
Background: Undoubtedly, in the processes of delivering health care services, the most important aspect are employees, particularly teams of medical professionals working directly with patients. The constantly growing pressure on the rational use of resources leaves no doubt as to the key role of medical professionals in this process. It is important to know and understand the opinions medical students on the factors affecting working conditions and changes necessary to improve effectiveness of health care. Students’ expectations can contribute to the changing working conditions for graduates and bring added value to health system redefinition.
Material and Methods: The study used factor analysis to check whether its use was justified. Reliability analysis was performed and structure indicators were determined for each question. The anonymous survey was conducted and 1205 students were randomly selected for the sample.
Results: Eighty percent of the students declared interest in healthcare changes. More than half of the respondents answered affirmatively to the question about the factors that most define the effectiveness of activities undertaken as part of the work of healthcare personnel, which include financing, medical equipment used for diagnosis and therapeutic procedures, organization and hospital infrastructure. From the perspective of organizational and economic working conditions of medical staff, the greatest emphasis was placed on the answers given for too long queues related to waiting for an appointment with a specialist doctor and for admission to hospital. Among the areas of potential changes in the public healthcare, the largest group of students indicated the principles of financing and healthcare resources allocation, which may mean that the students had some doubts not only as to the designated directions of systemic activities, but also in relation to the allocation of financial resources and, consequently, to operational tasks/activities imposed on medical units.
Conclusions: Students’ opinions on organizational and financial factors can contribute to improvement in systemic innovative solutions at every level of system management. The implementations of contemporary reforms has the potential to stimulate increased creativity among employees, thereby contributing to the overall improvement the health care performance. can motivate young employees to be more creative and decisive in their opinions. Analysis of opinions can bring added value to systemic changes. Students’ interest in healthcare reform encourages reflection on enriching education with managerial skills.
