Access to Free Medical Assistance in Russia: State and Problems

Access to Free Medical Assistance in Russia: State and Problems


Fadeeva Е.V.

Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Assoc. Prof., Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow, Russia fadeeva.belova@mail.ru

ID of the Article: 8106


For citation:

Fadeeva Е.V. Access to Free Medical Assistance in Russia: State and Problems. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2020. No 4. P. 94-104




Abstract

The article problematizes the population’s access to free medical assistance, provided by state health care institutions. Basing on statistical data, the results of mass public opinion polls and surveys of specific professional groups, the author singles out following factors preventing reduction of mortalitydue-to-diseases growth in Russia (in particular, due to the most common, i.e. cancer and cardiovascular diseases): staff shortage in state healthcare institutions, their persistent underfunding, and lack of a clearly structured system of healthcare personnel replenishment. The author focuses on the reasons for the staff attrition in the public health sector, such as motivation to work in the public healthcare system and the level of training of novice health workers. In conclusion, the author finds that the problems of access to health care in Russia are essential in terms of the development prospects for our country and are caused by the ill-considered state policy in the public health care and education sectors, these problems require immediate solutions, effective and well-regulated at the same time.


Keywords
health care; access to health care; staff shortage; physician salary; health care education and training; demography

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Content No 4, 2020