Understanding public perception of the need for major change in Latin American healthcare systems.
The opinions and experiences of the public regarding health services are valuable insights into identifying opportunities to improve healthcare systems. We analyzed the 2012-2013 Public Opinion Health Policy Survey carried out in Brazil (n = 1486), Colombia (n = 1485), El Salvador (n = 1460), Jamaica (n = 1480), México (n = 1492) and Panama (n = 1475). In these countries between 82 and 96% of participants perceived that their health systems needed fundamental changes. The most frequent barrier to access to healthcare was lack of the primary medical home, difficulties in obtaining medical care during the weekends and financial barriers. Type of health insurance and challenges in obtaining medical care during the weekends were associated with an increased opinion for the need for fundamental changes in healthcare systems, whereas having a primary medical home showed a protective effect. Focusing on tackling organizational and financial barriers and ensuring access to a primary medical home should be placed on the agenda of Latin American countries.
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, Reforma 222 Piso 11 Mexico City 06726 Mexico.
Ricardo
R
Pérez-Cuevas
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, Dean Valdivia 148-Piso 10. Centro Empresarial Platinum Plaza, San Isidro Lima 27, Peru.
Frederico C
FC
Guanais
Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, CMN Siglo XXI, Av. Cuauhtemoc 330, Mexico City 06720, Mexico.
Svetlana V
SV
Doubova
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, Calle 50 con Calle Elvira Méndez, Edificio Tower Financial Center (Towerbank), Piso 23, Panamá, Panamá.
Leonardo
L
Pinzón
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, Edificio WTC, Piso 4, 89 Avenida Norte y Calle El Mirador, San Salvador, El Salvador.
Luis
L
Tejerina
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20577, USA.
Diana
D
Pinto Masis
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, Setor de Embaixadas Norte, Quadra 802 Conjunto F, Lote 39 - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70800-400 Brasil.
Marcia
M
Rocha
Division of Social Protection and Health, Inter-American Development Bank, 40-46 Knutsford Boulevard, 6th Floor, Kingston, Jamaica.
Donna O
DO
Harris
Departments of Health Policy and Management and Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
James
J
Macinko
D000328:Adult; D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Barrier to access; Brazil; Colombia; El Salvador; Jamaica; México; Panama; healthcare systems; public opinion