Patient Perspectives on the Quality of Primary Care for Chronic Conditions in Slovenia: Evidence from the PaRIS Survey

Background Chronic conditions (CCs) represent a growing global burden, with profound implications for quality of life and the long-term sustainability of health systems. High-quality primary care is fundamental to the effective management of CCs, yet patient-reported experiences of care quality remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the quality of primary care delivered to patients with CCs in Slovenia and to identify factors associated with perceived care quality. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted as part of the OECD Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) initiative. All family practices in Slovenia were invited to participate, with 300 patients randomly selected per practice. Eligible participants were community-dwelling individuals aged 45 years or older who had had contact with the practice within the past six months and had at least one CC. Patient experience was assessed using the Primary Care Service User Questionnaire (PCUQ). Quality of care was categorised as excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor/not sure. Associations with demographic, behavioural, and practice-level variables were examined using a generalised linear mixed-effects model. Results A total of 70 primary care providers with at least one patient with a CC participated in the study. Data were collected from 3,003 patients, yielding a response rate of 13.8%. Of these, 2,133 (71.0%) reported having at least one CC and were included in the main analysis. Most patients (87.4%) reported receiving high-quality care. Perceptions of better care quality were significantly associated with male gender (OR = 1.84, p = 0.002), regular physical activity (OR = 1.61, p = 0.006), discussions with providers about lifestyle (OR = 1.91, p < 0.001), and medium or high household income (p = 0.010; medium VS low: OR = 1.55, p = 0.036; high VS low: OR = 2.16, p = 0.004). Conclusion This study highlights a generally high standard of primary care quality in Slovenia as experienced by patients with CCs. However, relational and socio-economic factors continue to shape perceived quality. To enhance equitable access to high-quality care, policymakers and practitioners should prioritise communication, continuity, and support for underserved populations. These findings reinforce the central role of person-centred care in driving quality improvement in health systems.