MEDICAL ACT BETWEEN FUNDING AND PATIENT NEEDS – ANALYSIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PHYSICIANS WITHIN THE CITY OF IAȘI

Abstract

The necessity of empirical research in the field of medical services provision is highlighted both by the numerous modifications within the legislative framework (through which the medical system is organized and functions) and by the dysfunctionalities within its existence. The study proposes to identify those factors that may influence the quality of the medical act. The identified factors are present on the level of university training, of lifelong learning, of specializations and professional developments, on the level of the organization and functioning of the medical system. We also present the solutions identified by the physicians. The study is based on the analysis of 12 interviews conducted with physicians within public and private institutions in Iași. The topics of discussion were centred on the following aspects: medical system evaluation (comparison with European medical systems, but also between the public and the private system), relationships within the system (collaboration between institutions, collaboration with the family physician), work relationships, assessment of relationship system with/ between colleagues and professional recognition. This paper brings to attention the difficulties pointed out by physicians within the exercise of their profession, in their relationship with both institutions and patients. The main aspects pointed out are related to insufficient funding (reflected in the amount of equipments and drugs, in the infrastructure), to insufficient hospital staff, overstressing, university training and lifelong learning (that do not benefit from a unitary and integrating approach) and to the permanent change of the legislative framework that regulates the exercise of the medical profession.