Prospects for the development of consumption of commercial services in healthcare in the context of industry reform (sociological analysis)

The relevance of this article comes from the high importance of the social sphere, including healthcare, in the current agenda of preserving and developing human potential. The healthcare sector has experienced various stages of evolution, transitioning from universally free medical care to a substantial increase in fee-based medical services. The ongoing social transformations in the last decades, influenced by political, economic, and other factors, have crippled the healthcare system. These changes have also influenced public satisfaction with healthcare services and overall trust in in the medical profession. But the clearest indicator of well-being in the healthcare sector is the level of patient satisfaction with healthcare interactions across various levels of society. The author of this article made a hypothesis that, due to longstanding issues related to continuous modernization and reform, public healthcare satisfaction remains low. Conversely, the private healthcare sector has expanded significantly, meeting the increasing public demand and helping to alleviate pressure on the public system. To verify or refute these assumptions, the author conducted a sociological study that included a mass survey in the city of Tyumen and corresponded to the general population. Also, the author conducted an expert survey involving healthcare management professionals. Based on the data, the researcher formed an idea of shortcomings of the public healthcare system, assessed public attitudes toward private medical services, and draw conclusions about the prospects for consumer behavior in the healthcare market.

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