Accessing healthcare services in Finland has become increasingly difficult, while the continuity of care has also deteriorated, according to a survey commissioned by the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL).
The feedback survey, which was carried out by 204 municipalities across Finland, found that clients of healthcare centres have grown more dissatisfied with the provision of services.
South-Ostrobothnia was the only region in the country where the customer experience had improved since the last survey was conducted in 2020.
Respondents to the survey cited the difficulties they faced reaching a customer service agent in order to book an appointment as one of the biggest frustrations.
In addition, patients noted that they were less likely to be treated by the same doctor or nurse, despite the recent Sote reform's goal to enhance continuity of care.
THL's report also found that differences in the quality of care between different regions have remained in place.
In a press release, THL's head of development Salla Sainio said it is worth noting that feedback also included high praise for doctors and nurses with some hailing clinics' services as professional, personalised and helpful.
"The wellbeing services counties are better suited [than municipalites] to tackle the structural issues of poor access to services and the lack of continuity of care," Sainio comments in a press release.
The survey findings were based on feedback given by some 13,900 clients of healthcare services.
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