Authors: Dimitrios Antonoglou, Paraskevi Koufopoulou
Title: UNDERGROUND ECONOMY IN HEALTH: QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT IN GREECE, IN CRISIS ERA
Abstract
Purpose: Corruption and mismanagement are the most serious problems currently facing the health sector. In this study we bring into focus the underground economy in health, with the famous “bag”.
Method: The study was carried out during the period 1st July – 30th September 2014, among a convenience sample (with structured questionnaire) of 310 citizens of Thessaloniki, Athens, Kozani, Kilkis, Kastoria. The data were collected and the results were analyzed with S.P.S.S. and relevant literature was used.
Results: In our sample, 71.6 % of respondents were males and 28.1 % females, with the 42.6% of them over 65 years old. Once 40.65 % received a receipt for the full amount paid, while 9.03 % for ½ of it. Furthermore, 28.71% of the sample pay for “bag”, with the 69,68% in public hospitals (74.16%) for nursery and surgery (51.65%) mostly asked from General Practitioners (18.75%). The main reason why they gave sachet at 34.88 % was to reduce the waiting time before the provision of services because they were asked (79.55%).So, it is necessary to uptake measures in order to combat corruption and underground economy, as the only way for social stability and economic development.
