Assessment of the results of the municipal healthcare system reform (Russian experience)

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to study and evaluate the results of the healthcare system modernization reform as one of the most important areas of social municipal policy. The main goal of the modernization program was to improve the health status of the population of the municipal district, to improve the system of medical care, to increase the availability and quality of medical care to the population, to increase the efficiency of the use and distribution of resources. To obtain the results of the reform evaluation, a sociological study was carried out on the basis of the analysis of documents (results of the Municipal Healthcare Modernization Program tasks, the identification of the level of provision of the population with qualified medical care), respondents’ opinions identification (which brought reform) with the help of a questionnaire survey. The research results indicate the ambiguity of the reform assessment both from medical services consumers and from service providers as well. The research results indicate the need to find new approaches to the municipal healthcare management. The paper substantiates the hypothesis: only a comprehensive assessment of all influencing factors will make the right management decisions in healthcare reform, balance and smooth out negative influences, preserve, and possibly increase the existing level of medical care to the population of the municipality.