COVID-19 Pandemic and Healthcare Communication: A Patient-Centric Evaluation of Treatment and Diagnostic Procedures in Poland.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated swift and often abrupt changes in healthcare practices, significantly influencing treatment and diagnostic procedures. This study aimed to gauge patient perceptions regarding these changes and their overall impact on the treatment and diagnosis process (ITDP). MATERIAL AND METHODS In March 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 1860 Polish residents (mean age: 48.82±16.57 years), who had accessed medical services within the preceding 24 months. We employed a binary logistic regression model to pinpoint independent factors contributing to a wholly negative perception of the pandemic's influence on the ITDP. RESULTS Around 64.3% of respondents perceived the ITDP during the pandemic negatively, with 20.8% reporting mixed impacts. Of 22 factors considered, 16 were significantly associated with ITDP perceptions in univariate analyses, and 8 qualified for the final multivariate model. The most potent predictors of negative ITDP perceptions included impeded communication with medical personnel due to the emphasis on COVID-19 (OR=2.82; 95% CI: 2.04-3.90) and worsening family financial circumstances during the pandemic (OR=2.03; 95% CI: 1.26-3.27). Other significant predictors comprised viewing remote services as a hindrance to medical communication, higher education, and use of self-funded private healthcare. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm that negative perceptions of the ITDP during the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with the remote delivery of medical services and communication challenges. These insights underscore the need to improve these domains for better healthcare delivery amid ongoing or future health crises.