The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on satisfaction with healthcare services in Türkiye

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims at evaluating whether the healthcare system in Turkey performed well or not from the perspective of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: For this purpose, we compare the satisfaction with healthcare services pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. We utilize the Life Satisfaction Survey conducted by Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) between 2013 and 2021 and employ probit regression method. Results: The research results do not show any change in satisfaction with healthcare services in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. In addition, the satisfaction with healthcare services of people with health conditions, those without health insurance, and those whose premiums are covered by the state (green card holders) did not decrease during the pandemic period. The analysis results reveal that the satisfaction of people over 65 years old and those having health conditions with healthcare services increased during the pandemic period. Conclusion: When the findings are evaluated as a whole, we can conclude that Turkey performed well from the users’ perspective during the pandemic. Public interest summary: This study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on satisfaction with healthcare services in Turkey. To do this, we utilize Life Satisfaction Survey between 2013 and 2021. The regression results indicate that satisfaction with healthcare services has not changed during the pandemic. Moreover, we report an increase in satisfaction scores for elderly and those with health conditions in the pandemic years. We also find satisfaction of people without health insurance, and those whose premiums are covered by the state (green card holders) does not change. Our analysis points Turkey did well in managing pandemic period in terms of healthcare services satisfaction.