Satisfaction with Austrian health system falls to lowest level since 2019

Just 51 per cent of Austrians aged 16 and over are very or fairly satisfied with the country’s health system, the lowest share since a survey series began in 2019, according to a poll reported by ORF. The findings were released ahead of the Austrian Health Forum, a health conference in Bad Hofgastein.

Nearly half of the 1,000 respondents said they had to wait five weeks or longer for a specialist appointment, and 64 per cent considered that wait unreasonable. In the past 12 months, 29 per cent had forgone medical care for financial reasons. Overall, 46 per cent said they were fairly or very dissatisfied with the system. Satisfaction stood at 76 per cent in May 2019.

The poll also found support for changes to how people access care. Sixty per cent said they would follow a prescribed treatment pathway, such as first contacting a health advice line, to get an earlier appointment. A regional health centre where doctors from different specialties work together would be an alternative to a hospital for 88 per cent. Two-thirds were willing to share health data for research.

Preventive care was widely seen as important, but respondents said they used some services more than others. Vaccinations were the most commonly used (70 per cent), followed by health check-ups (63 per cent) and preventive dental care (62 per cent). Structured prevention programmes reached 21 per cent, advice services 18 per cent and prevention courses 6 per cent. Seventy-three per cent supported vaccinations, while 22 per cent opposed them.

Despite the range of prevention options, 62 per cent said the health system focused more on treating acute illness than on prevention and maintaining health; 28 per cent saw prevention as the main focus. AHF founder Christoph Hörhan said dissatisfaction was also linked to long waits and a perception that the system mainly treats problems after they arise.

Demox Research and the Austrian Health Forum conducted the online survey from October 2 to 5, interviewing 1,000 people aged 16 and over. This year’s Austrian Health Forum in Bad Hofgastein is scheduled for October 19 and 20, with more than 200 participants set to discuss how prevention and digital health can improve care.