The bribing of doctors by patients still exists in Greece. Four out of ten patients continue giving a bribe in order to be hospitalized in a public hospital, on their own initiative, or after the “request” of the doctors. But in the private sector as well, “black” payment is entirely acceptable for a large percentage of patients during their visit in clinics.
The data of the new study for the underground economy on health were drawn up by Dimitrios Antonoglou, MSc Health Economist, Athanassios Vozikis, assistant professor at the University of Pireaus and Ms Paraskevi Koufopoulou MSc State & Public Policy (Administrative Science) & Former President of the Board of Directors of K.E.K.Y.K.A.MEA. of Cyclades, in the framework of the 15th PanHellenic Conference on Management of Health Services. The study found that despite the measures to combat the underground economy in Greece and despite the drastic reduction of incomes due to the economic crisis, the phenomenon does not go away.
The study was conducted in 2012 on a sample of 300 people in Thessaloniki. The authors found that the bribe constitutes a “passport” for a large percentage of citizens in order to be admitted in a public hospital. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents state that they have given a bribe in order to be hospitalized, or to expedite the waiting time for surgery or admission, or because it was requested by the doctor, while in many cases they mention that the bribe was a practical expression of their gratitude.
Also, for private visits, one out of ten patients does not receive a receipt, in fact, they are not interested in the cost of the medical visit including the receipt. Only 8% of patients got a receipt, without any of the two sides putting front the issue of whether or not they want one. Thirty-two percent of patients, of course, asked for a better price without a receipt, while 35% asked for a receipt without considering the difference in price.
1. ATHANASSIOS VOZIKIS.
2. DIMITRIOS ANTONOGLOU,
M.B.A. St., MSc., BSc. Heath Economist
3. PARASKEVI KOUFOPOULOU
Former President of the Board of Directors of K.E.K.Y.K.A.MEA. of Cyclades,
BSc. Social Policy
MSc. State & Public Policy (Administrative Science)
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