Income and living conditions of the population of Lithuania (edition 2021)

Use of healthcare services

 

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In 2020, 28 per cent of persons aged 16 and older indicated that over a year they did not require medical consultation or treatment (except dentist). 3 per cent of the population indicated that over the last 12 months there was at least one case when they did not see a doctor (except dentist) when needed. The majority of persons who did not receive medical consultation or treatment when needed indicated long waiting time for such medical services (55 per cent) or expectation that the health problems will disappear without treatment (22 per cent) as the main reason. 5 per cent of population who did not see a doctor for medical consultation indicated that the services were not free and too expensive.

4 per cent of persons aged 16 or older living at risk of poverty did not see a doctor (except dentist) when really needed at least once a year; of them, 10 per cent stated that they we unable to pay for the services as the price was too high.

Compared to 2019, the share of persons who did not see a doctor when needed increased by 1 percentage point and long waiting list was more often indicated as the main reason for not seeing a doctor.

Over a year, 58 per cent of persons aged 16 or older did not visit a dentist or orthodontic specialist. 5 per cent of persons aged 16 or older did not visit a dentist when they thought it was really needed. The main reason for not visiting a dentist was the high price of services. Such reason was indicated by 75 per cent of persons who refused dental services.

8 per cent of persons living at risk of poverty did not visit a dentist when really needed; of them, 86 per cent indicated high price of services and lack of money as the main reason.

Compared to 2019, the share of persons who did not visit a dentist when needed increased by 1 percentage point , but lack of money was less frequently indicated as the main reason for not visiting a dentist.


Unmet need for medical examination or treatment, 2020
Main reason for unmet need for medical examination or treatment

Created with Highcharts 6.1.4Per centPer cent5210557127221139191624Could not afford to (too expensive)Too long to wait in lineWanted to wait and see if the problem gets better on its ownDue to the lack of time, too far to travel (no means of transportation) and other reasons All persons aged 16 and olderAbove the at-risk-of-poverty thresholdBelow the at-risk-of-poverty threshold05101520253035404550556065707580859095100

 

Unmet need for medical examination or treatment of persons aged 16 or older by place of residence, 2020
Main reason for unmet need for medical examination or treatment

Created with Highcharts 6.1.4Per centPer cent5427755617729402222850201913121533Could not afford to (too expensive)Too long to wait in lineWanted to wait and see if the problem gets better on its ownDue to the lack of time, too far to travel (no means of transportation) and other reasons All persons aged 16 and olderUrban areas5 largest citiesOther townsRural areas05101520253035404550556065707580859095100

 

Unmet need for dental examination or treatment, 2020
Main reason for unmet need for dental examination or treatment

Created with Highcharts 6.1.4Per centPer cent7567861115514189Could not afford to (too expensive)Too long to wait in lineOther reasons All persons aged 16 and olderAbove the at-risk-of-poverty thresholdBelow the at-risk-of-poverty threshold05101520253035404550556065707580859095100

 

Unmet need for dental examination or treatment of persons aged 16 and older by place of residence, 2020
Main reason for unmet need for dental examination or treatment

Created with Highcharts 6.1.4Per centPer cent757278668211121949141632910Could not afford to (too expensive)Too long to wait in lineOther reasons All persons aged 16 and olderUrban areas5 largest citiesOther townsRural areas05101520253035404550556065707580859095100

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Unmet need for medical examination or treatment

Unmet need for dental examination or treatment