A recent survey by Patient Voices Hong Kong, commissioned by Prudential plc and analyzed by Economist Impact, paints a concerning picture of healthcare access in Hong Kong. The report, “How Clarity, Cost, and Choice Shape Care,” reveals that nearly 60% of Hongkongers have delayed seeking medical care in the past year, citing a combination of financial constraints, lack of information, and difficulties navigating the healthcare system.
High Health Service Convenience, Yet Barriers Persist
While 67% of respondents appreciated the convenience of local healthcare services, the survey uncovered significant gaps in knowledge and access. A startling 55% of respondents reported feeling uncertain about where to seek care when health issues arise, underlining a critical need for more accessible and clear health information. Moreover, more than half of the surveyed population also felt they lacked sufficient information to make informed healthcare decisions.
The Cost of Care: A Major Barrier
Financial concerns were a dominant theme, with over half of respondents (53%) expressing worry about their ability to afford medical services. In fact, 56% of those surveyed found the cost of healthcare services last year to be higher than expected. The survey also revealed that 20% of respondents rely on government-subsidized healthcare or public insurance to cover their medical needs, with 18% depending on financial support from family and 15% paying out-of-pocket. Only a small fraction, 10%, are covered by private health insurance.
Long Wait Times and Transportation Woes
When it comes to accessing care, the experience is far from seamless. Of those who visited a general practitioner in the past year, 52% found the process inconvenient due to long waiting times, complicated booking systems, and other barriers. Travel also emerged as a challenge, with one in four respondents reporting difficulties accessing healthcare facilities via public transportation.
Trust and Hesitancy in Seeking Timely Care
A large portion of respondents delayed care due to personal reasons. The most common explanations included not perceiving their symptoms as severe (24%), the need to care for children (24%), and a desire to avoid burdening loved ones (24%). Interestingly, despite the long wait times, 21% of respondents chose to stay with their current healthcare provider, underscoring a deep sense of trust in familiar healthcare professionals, even when faced with less-than-ideal circumstances.
Faster Recovery and Minimal Disruption to Daily Life Preferred
To foster confidence in seeking care, minimizing disruptions to daily life was found to be a key factor. Approximately 31% of participants expressed a preference for treatments that enable quick recovery, allowing them to return to their routine as soon as possible. This highlights the growing desire for more efficient, patient-friendly healthcare solutions.
The findings of this survey indicate that while Hong Kong’s healthcare system provides essential services, there are pressing challenges related to accessibility, affordability, and the flow of information. These barriers are leading many residents to delay necessary medical care, a trend that requires urgent attention to improve public health outcomes in the region.
The full report emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to address these gaps by enhancing accessibility, providing clearer information, and offering more affordable care options for all residents.