DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2026.1.23
E.N. Krotkova¹, S.L. Boiko², A.V. Kopytsky2
Dynamics of patients’ satisfaction with the quality of infectious disease care in central district hospitals
1Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pulmonology and Phthisiology, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
2Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2026;25(1):23-31.
Abstract.
This study presents the results of two cross-sectional sociological surveys conducted four years apart (in 2021 and 2025) among patients treated in central district hospitals (CRHs) of the Republic of Belarus.
Objectives. To study the dynamics of patients’ satisfaction and patients’ needs regarding the quality of medical care for infectious diseases in CRHs during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods in order to develop evidence-based recommendations for optimizing and improving the infectious disease care system at the district level, depending on the epidemiological situation.
Material and Methods. Both studies used an identical anonymous questionnaire developed by E.N. Krotkova and Grodno State University named after Yanka Kupala.
Results. The comparative study revealed a significant transformation in patient preferences and satisfaction with the infectious disease care system in the Republic of Belarus. The key result was the formation of a clear three-tier hierarchy of preferences: the highest level (regional and inter-district) is supported by 82-83% of respondents, specialized outpatient care by 73%, and inpatient care at the central district hospital level by 52-73%. The most significant positive changes were recorded in the area of drug provision, where satisfaction increased by 13.21 percentage points (p<0.001). The role of inter-district departments is strategically important, demonstrating a consistently high level of trust (81.98%) and a significant increase in moderate support (+6.79 percentage points, p<0.01), confirming their positioning as the optimal balance between accessibility and quality of care for infectious diseases. A redistribution of roles in the healthcare system is observed: increased trust in general practitioners (+4.50 percentage points) and internal medicine departments (+6.56 percentage points) was recorded, indicating the growing importance of primary care.
Conclusions. The study confirms that reforms aimed at centralizing infectious disease services are meeting growing public acceptance, provided they are supported by tangible improvements.
Keywords: satisfaction with medical care, central district hospitals, inter-district departments, infectious diseases.
References
1. National Security Concept of the Republic of Belarus: Ukaz Prezidenta Resp Belarus’ ot 9 noyab 2010 g № 575. V: Natsional’nyi reestr pravovykh aktov Respubliki Belarus’. 2010;(276):1/12090. (In Russ.).
2. Korkhmazov VT, Perkhov VI. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for project management in healthcare. Meditsina i Organizatsiya Zdravookhraneniya. 2023;(3):13-25. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/uroki-pandemii-covid-19-dlya-proektnogo-upravleniya-v-zdravoohranenii [Accessed 12th February 2026]. (In Russ.).
3. Buzin VN, Son IM. Organization of outpatient care during the pandemic: public opinion. Sovremennye Problemy Zdravoohranenija i Medicinskoj Statistiki. 2021;(3):265-280. (In Russ.). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.24412/2312-2935-2021-3-265-280
4. About healthcare: Zakon Resp Belarus’ ot 18 ijunja 1993 g. № 2435-XII: v red ot 8 ijulja 2024 g. № 26-Z. V: JeTALON: inform-poiskovaja sistema [Accessed 18th February 2026]. (In Russ.).
5. On the approval of the State Program «National Health» for 2026-2030: postanovlenie Soveta Ministrov Resp Belarus’ ot 30 dek 2025 g № 798. V: Natsional’nyi pravovoi Internet-portal Respubliki Belarus’. 2026;6-1/55644. (In Russ.).
6. Batbaatar E, Dorjdagva J, Luvsannyam A, Amenta P. Conceptualisation of patient satisfaction: a systematic narrative literature review. Perspectives in Public Health. 2015 Sep;135(5):243-50. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1757913915594196
7. Reshetnikov AV, Prisyazhnaya NV, Pavlov SV, Vyatkina NYu. The Perception of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Moscow Residents. Sociologicheskie Issledovanija. 2020;(7):138-143. (In Russ.). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.31857/S013216250009481-2
8. Hall JA, Dornan MC. Patient sociodemographic characteristics as predictors of satisfaction with medical care: a meta-analysis. Social Science and Medicine. 1990;30(7):811-818. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(90)90205-7
9. Krotkova EN. The new conditions of care for patients with infectious diseases. Zdravookhranenie. 2022;(3):24-27. (In Russ.).
Submitted 31.01.2026
Accepted 16.02.2026
Information about authors:
Elena N. Krotkova – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor, director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Pulmonology and Phthisiology, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9006-0917, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.;
S.L. Boiko – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor, dean of the Medicopsychological Faculty, Grodno State Medical University, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8767-6892
A.V. Kapytski – senior lecturer of the Chair of Medical & Biological Physics, Grodno State Medical University.
