Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) has presented the results of a public opinion survey on satisfaction in healthcare and public involvement in health policy.

This public opinion survey was conducted in March 2022 among 1,000 participants who were selected by age, sex, and region in ratios that correspond to the demographics of Japan’s total population.

We asked respondents to indicate their level of satisfaction toward healthcare in each of the areas described below along a four-point scale from “Satisfied” to “Dissatisfied.”(Fig 1-1 (1) / Fig 1-1 (2))

The item with which respondents were least satisfied was “Ease of understanding of the healthcare system,” followed by “Cost of insurance premiums.” Regarding “Cost of insurance premiums,” an effort to reform the social security system which aims to review benefits and burdens in the social security system and create fairness among generations is currently underway. Looking at the breakdown of satisfaction levels with “Cost of insurance premiums” by age group, we found no striking differences (Figure 1-2). On the other hand, the item that respondents expressed the highest level of satisfaction toward was “All citizens are covered by public health insurance,” which is a key characteristic of Japan’s health insurance system; followed by items related to freedom of access (“Access to healthcare facillities.”). These findings suggest that while respondents are satisfied with the services currently offered by health insurance to a degree, a lack of understanding toward the health insurance system may be preventing them from feeling convinced that the burdens associated with it are acceptable. As such, these findings suggest that enhancing understanding toward the healthcare system might contribute to higher satisfaction toward healthcare.

Fig. 1-1 (1) 

Fig. 1-1 (2)

Fig 1-2

When respondents were asked if they feel they have opportunities to have their voices reflected in health policy, less than 10% said they do (Figure 2, left: n=73 / N=1000). However, about 40% of all respondents said “I feel like I do (have opportunities to have my voice reflected)(Figure 2, center: n=380 / N=1000), but not in a way that I can get involved.” When we asked that group if they want to see their voices reflected in health policy, 74% of respondents said that they do. This finding may suggest there is high demand for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in health policy. While taking steps to diversify methods for members of the public to get involved in the policy making process, such as by collecting public comments or holding public hearings, it may be necessary to take steps to further advance PPI by making those methods more widely known among the public.

Fig. 2

HGPI generates policy recommendations on patient and citizen involvement in pursuit of our mission of achieving citizen-centered health policy.

[Policy Recommendations] Further Promoting Patient and Public Involvement in the Policy-Making Process – Steps for Achieving Healthcare Policies That Are Truly Centered on Patients and Citizens

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