title: Multimorbidity and unmet citizens' needs and expectations urge for reforms in the health system of Cyprus: a questionnaire survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the prevalence of multimorbidity in Cyprus and the extent to which citizens are satisfied with the currently provided healthcare and to provide recommendations on the basis of findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nationally based survey conducted through personal interviews, using a structured questionnaire designed for this survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cyprus rural and urban areas (excluding Turkish occupied areas).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and sixty-five Cypriot adults, average age 53 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lifetime prevalence of self-reported non-communicable diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated initial evidence for a high prevalence of non-age specific multimorbidity among Cypriots and dissatisfaction with their doctors, especially for the time allocated to discuss their general state of health. Recommendations focus on a new cost-effective, person-centred model of healthcare. The model prioritizes prevention rather than treatment, targeting the determinants of complexity before their influences create conditions that demand high-cost interventions, and it is based on three fundamental principles: (1) tackling health as a political issue, (2) empowering the patient and (3) introducing Applied Nutrition in the system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study threw light into the issue of patient complexity and revealed unmet people's needs and expectations for a more person-centred care, providing a first challenge to the single disease-based system of healthcare in Cyprus. The findings of the study may have important implications for government policies and highlight the need for more research in this area to inform policy makers, particularly in view of the fact that a new Health System is currently being designed.
authors: Nutritional Medicine, Nutrigenetic Counsellor, 2027 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Nitsa
authors: N
authors: Kiliari
authors: Associate Professor in Surgical Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Eleni
authors: E
authors: Theodosopoulou
authors: Associate Professor and Associate Dean, University of Nicosia, 1700, Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Papanastasiou
keywords: multimorbidity; patients' disatisfaction; person-centred healthcare