The paradox of public participation in the healthcare in Poland - What citizens want, and what they think

ObjectiveTo assess the concept of public involvement in the decision-making process in the healthcare sector in Poland.MethodsA poll was conducted in 2011 on a representative random sample of residents of Poland. Respondents were asked about their preferences concerning the selection of the groups most appropriately representing public interests in the process of decision-making in the healthcare: Patients' Advocacy Groups (PAGs), Carers' Advocacy Groups (CAGs) and Citizens' Councils (CCs). A systematic literature review was performed to study real life examples of patients' involvement in the decision making processes in the Polish healthcare sector as well.ResultsIn total, 83% of respondents would wish the participation of PAGs in decision-making concerning healthcare resources. The attitude to the engagement of CAGs and CCs was still positive but significantly lower, by 6 and 7 percentage points respectively. Some socio-demographic differences were observed. In the literature review, five examples of the Polish patients' empowerment and three cases of PAGs' engagement in decision making process were identified.ConclusionsAlthough its importance was met with a universal approval by the majority of responders, real life examples of public engagement in decision making process indicate there is still room for improvement in the Polish healthcare.