Poland and Lebanon differed in access, communication, and autonomy

What the study found: The study found notable differences between the two healthcare systems in service accessibility, communication effectiveness, and autonomy in treatment decision-making. Lebanon scored higher on service accessibility, while Poland showed higher decision autonomy.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that both systems have distinct strengths and areas for improvement. They suggest that Lebanon’s private system and Poland’s public system could each improve service delivery by adopting best practices from the other.
What the researchers tested: The researchers used a mixed-method cross-sectional design at two hospitals, one in Lebanon and one in Poland, from October 2023 to March 2024. They surveyed 88 respondents in total, including 44 patients and 44 doctors, and analyzed quantitative data with descriptive statistics in R and qualitative data with thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti.
What worked and what didn't: Lebanese participants rated service accessibility higher and reported fewer barriers to healthcare access. Communication scores were comparable overall, but Lebanon emphasized provider-patient interpersonal dynamics, while Poland emphasized staff information transparency; Poland also showed significantly higher decision autonomy and greater patient engagement in healthcare decisions.
What to keep in mind: The study was limited to two hospitals and 88 respondents, so the findings reflect a narrow comparison. The abstract does not describe other limitations beyond the study scope.

Key points

• The study compared healthcare quality management in Poland and Lebanon.
• Lebanon was rated higher for service accessibility and fewer access barriers.
• Poland showed higher decision autonomy and greater patient engagement in treatment decisions.
• Communication was comparable overall, but the two settings emphasized different aspects of it.
• The authors suggest each system could learn from the other’s strengths.