Eurobarometer: Over 70% of Romanians say healthcare quality in the country is bad

Most of Romanians, namely 73 percent, say healthcare quality in the country is bad, compared to a European average of 27 percent, according to a Eurobarometer report. At least seven out of ten respondents in Romania (78 percent) think healthcare quality in their country is worse than that of other Member States. The percentage is similar to the one in Greece - 73 percent, and Bulgaria - 72 percent. Only 10 percent respondents in Bulgaria and 11 percent of those in Romania think the quality of healthcare in their country is the same as that of other Member States. When asked about the three most important criteria when thinking of high quality healthcare in the country, Romanians' answers were often similar to those in the EU28. A total of 53 percent of Romanians say the most important criteria is well trained medical staff, the same as the European average. A total of 36 percent of Romanian respondents (40 percent the EU28 average) think the most important criteria is represented by treatment that works, followed by a modern medical equipment - pointed as an important criteria by 23 percent of Romanians (EU28 - 25 percent). When it comes to the main sources Romanians would use to seek information on quality of healthcare, 60 percent chose the general practitioner or another doctor/specialists, 58 percent said they rely on friends or family and 17 percent indicated social media/Internet forums. Almost 70 percent of Romanian respondents think it is likely patients could be harmed by hospital care in their country, compared to slightly over half of EU citizens. The entire Eurobarometer report on Romania here. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com