What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to identify bottlenecks beyond primary care that hinder access to specialists and diagnostics in the Polish healthcare system.

April 4, 2026Open Access

Bottlenecks Beyond Primary Care: Patient and Healthcare Worker Perspectives on Access to Specialists, Diagnostics, and System Organisation in Poland

Key Points

The study aims to identify bottlenecks beyond primary care that hinder access to specialists and diagnostics in the Polish healthcare system.
Cross-sectional survey conducted in Primed Medical Center in Lublin.
Analyzed responses from fifty eligible adult respondents (58% patients, 42% healthcare employees).
Measures included access and organisational barriers, perceived quality, equity, and satisfaction.
66.0% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the healthcare system.
88.0% found appointment scheduling inconvenient.
86.0% reported limited access to specialists.
80.0% stated they could not obtain timely diagnostics.
58.0% reported inequitable access to care.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Access delays in specialist consultations and diagnostics are frequently cited as key weaknesses of the Polish healthcare system. This study aimed to identify patient- and healthcare employee-reported bottlenecks beyond primary care, focusing on access, organisational and information barriers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey in Primed Medical Center in Lublin (south-eastern Poland) analysed fifty eligible adult respondents (58% patients; 42% healthcare employees). Measures covered access and organisational barriers (primary care, specialists/diagnostics, out-of-hours), perceived quality, equity, and satisfaction. Results: Overall dissatisfaction predominated (66.0% rather/definitely dissatisfied vs. 24.0% somewhat/definitely satisfied), and 70.0% indicated that reform is needed. The most frequent constraints concerned appointment scheduling convenience (88.0%), limited specialist access (86.0%), inability to obtain timely diagnostics (80.0%), unclear guidance on where to seek help (78.0%), and low administrative efficiency (74.0%). Additional concerns included out-of-hours access (60.0% reported no immediate night help) and perceived inequity (58.0% reported unequal access; 62.0% reported unequal treatment). In contrast, primary care availability was rated positively by 78% on a qualitative scale, and physician competence by 62%. Associations with sex, age, residence, and role were significant but small to moderate. Conclusions: Respondents differentiate clinical competence from system performance: negative assessments cluster around organisational barriers and capacity constraints in specialist and diagnostic pathways. Improving patient navigation and information, scheduling and administrative workflows, and specialist/diagnostic capacity—while strengthening primary care coordination—may reduce delays and support more equitable, higher-quality care.

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