Luxembourgers satisfied with healthcare

(CS) The majority of Luxembourgers are happy with their insurance, but would like to see improvements in waiting times, care levels and access to healthcare.

With seven out of 10 consumers having additional insurance apart from the Caisse Nationale de Santé, 55% find they are adequately covered and 45% think they are well covered, according to a Deloitte survey.

The study found that nine out of 10 Luxembourgers will see just one doctor, with 73% of those surveyed stating they are satisfied with their doctor.

Despite this high level of patient satisfaction, three main factors remain open to improvement, according to the study. These are waiting times for services (47%), more patient/consumer-oriented care (24%), and improved access to services (14%).

Healthcare changes

Over half of Luxembourg consumers are also aware of the changes made in December 2010 to the healthcare system.

They see synergies between hospitals, the introduction of a primary care physician to coordinate and actively manage patients’ health, and electronic healthcare records as the most significant factors contributing to a successful reform.

Staying healthy

The study consulted participants on their own health. The vast majority of respondents regarded their health as good, very good or excellent, even though 45% suffered from one or more chronic ailments.

Also in the majority of those questioned take preventative health measures with regular routine check-ups (65%), taking food supplements (43%) or getting a flu shot (17%).

For better services Luxembourgers are also willing to travel beyond their local area, with 65% willing to seek treatment elsewhere in the Grand Duchy and 31% to travel outside Luxembourg for better care, specific treatments or more up-to-date technology and facilities.

Even though the majority of respondents use the internet for various other services, such as banking or shopping, hospitals and pharmacies are seen as most trustworthy sources of health-related information.

The study, conducted for the first time this year, surveyed 12 countries worldwide on their healthcare systems. In Luxembourg 430 adults aged 18 or over, representative of gender and age distribution in the country, answered an online survey in May 2011 in French or Luxembourgish.

The full study is available in French on the Deloitte website.