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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Exposes Disparities in Perceptions and Experiences of Healthcare Services

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers in Thessaloniki, Greece, conducted a prospective descriptive study to explore the disparities in perceptions and experiences of healthcare services between providers and users during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed significant inconsistencies in the experiences of healthcare providers and patients, particularly regarding the effectiveness of digital health interventions. The researchers used an electronic survey to evaluate the readiness of healthcare employees and consumers for electronic healthcare services, with a response rate of 89.19% and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.738.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found significant disparities in perceptions and experiences of healthcare services between providers and users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The researchers used an electronic survey to evaluate the readiness of healthcare employees and consumers for electronic healthcare services, with a response rate of 89.19%.
  • The study revealed notable differences in perceptions regarding health-related information and digital health technologies across genders and age groups.
  • 28.8% of females and 27.3% of males considered it important to be well-informed about health issues (ch = 8.83, df = 3, p = 0.032).
  • The study contributes to filling a gap in comparative analyses of provider and user perspectives, offering a comprehensive view of how digital health was adopted and experienced during a global crisis.
  • Practically, the study provides an evidence base to guide future interventions aimed at fostering more equitable, resilient, and user-friendly digital healthcare systems.

Statistics:

  • 290 healthcare employees (HEs) participated in the study.
  • 263 consumers (Cs) participated in the study.
  • The response rate of the participants was 89.19%.
  • The Cronbach's alpha for the questionnaire was 0.738.
  • 28.8% of females considered it important to be well-informed about health issues.
  • 27.3% of males considered it important to be well-informed about health issues.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings on COVID-19 Discussed by Panagiotis Mpogiatzidis and Co-Researchers (Digital Divide: Contrasting Provider and User Insights on Healthcare Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 31, 2025; p 71.
  • Digital Divide: Contrasting Provider and User Insights on Healthcare Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare, 2025;13(15):1803.
  • Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
  • 4th Healthcare Authority of Greece, 54695 Thessaloniki, Greece.

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