Paramedical services supplement and support medical work but do not require a fully qualified doctor. Services include nursing, radiography, emergency first aid, physiotherapy, and dietetics. People feel that a paramedic should be well trained to deal with medical equipment, procedures, radio operating procedures as well as emergency vehicle operations. 

3. Wait and service timing/Duration needed for service

When a person needs medical attention, the last thing one wants is a long queue, which can add extra stress to a patient. Hospitals should manage this by scheduling appointments. People prefer to register in advance and come on time for their scheduled appointment, thereby reducing their waiting time.

4. Ease of interface/Booking/Patient Support services

A growing number of people are turning towards online appointment booking systems. People want to have an interface for bookings, cancellations, reminders, follow-ups and a lot of functionalities which can be easily managed online with efficiency and eliminating the fuss around manual appointments. Online access for patients to healthcare services help stay connected and allows them to take control of their time.  

5. Cost of service/Cost of care

Healthcare spending has been on the rise in Romania. People want to lower their spending on hospitals and medicines. People are asking for outpatient clinics which is cheaper than having the same procedure in a hospital. People also want to explore the idea of having providers who are within their network as they charge less compared to out-of-network care providers. 

6. Cleanliness

Hospital cleanliness will impact the overall patient experience. For patients and their families, cleanliness is an important factor that really matters. A patient will recommend a hospital to friends and family when the hospital is clean and hygienic.

Patients feel that delivery of safe and effective health care can be delivered with reduced risks of hospital acquired infections when the hospital is clean. 

 7. Latest equipment/facilities

In the recent days, we have seen hospitals with world class facilities and technological equipment. People expect hospitals to update their equipment and services so that they can offer high-tech medical care. Patients are asking for state-of-the-art digital imaging scanners, multi-disciplinary mega-hospitals with cutting-edge medical robots. Patients are expecting innovative equipment, high-tech digital theaters that can be used by surgeons to have complete control over every aspect of their health.

8. Availability of services/clinics

Romania’s health-care system has a number of modern clinics with highly trained medical specialists, but in spite of that people are asking for more such clinics with qualified personnel and modern equipment. People want to see many more clinics in smaller cities as all patients cannot move to bigger cities just for a medical examination.

Private Healthcare in Romania – Emerging Trends

Private hospitals in Romania have seen rapid growth and are witnessing a tremendous boom due to the low-quality services in public hospitals forcing people to take a resort to private hospitals. The industry is going through phases of innovation which is seen in the form of new app-based booking interfaces and hi-tech medical equipment. Healthy living is also seeing a rise as people are realizing the value of maintaining good health. Here are the top 3 emerging trends in the private hospital industry in Romania: 

1. E consultations, app-based consultations, second opinions

In today’s technologically advanced world, an app is said to keep doctors and medical help closer to you. The emerging trend in private hospital care is to make it possible for patients to book consultations using apps. With hectic schedules, patients find it convenient to use app-based consultations which are available with a click. There is a rising trend to use smart platforms for seeking second opinion from top specialists who are listed on the app.

2. Loyalty cards/discounts

While loyalty cards and discounts are very common in most of the businesses, they are not so common in the healthcare industry. The emerging trend in the healthcare sector is the use of loyalty cards to boost patient loyalty. Loyalty programs will increase patient engagement with the hospital and will bring more referrals.

3. Healthy living/ preventive care tip

A rising trend in health care industry is the trend of healthy living and preventive care. Some of the preventive are examples include wellness visits, and immunizations, regular screenings for blood pressure, cancer, cholesterol, depression, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Preventive care is gaining high importance because it helps a person to stay healthy and take treatment when necessary. Also, very important is that it can help to reduce overall medical expenses.

Private Healthcare in Romania – Consumer Beliefs 

Understanding patients’ healthcare beliefs, values, and preferences are very important for the healthcare provider. This is important for predicting medication adherence, use of healthcare services, and lifestyle choices.  When the health provider acquires a better awareness of a patient’s beliefs, it will help to identify gaps between their understanding and the patient’s requirements. 

1. Private health care is better for some health issues

It is a general belief that private healthcare is better to treat certain health issues as it is not easily available in public healthcare. People believe that private hospitals are well equipped to handle diseases such as cancers or strokes and heart attacks. They believe that they have lesser waiting times and better equipment in private hospitals making them more comfortable for patients. 

2. There are no good prevention programs

People believe that there are no good programs aimed at getting the care and service that is required to live a healthier life. Preventive programs are important as it helps to stay healthy and access prompt treatment when necessary. It can also reduce overall medical expenses. But people believe that without preventive programs, diseases will cost higher and might cause more damage to people with these conditions. 

3. Alternate medicine is not very good in Romania

Alternative medicine refers to those practices that are not taught in conventional medical schools. Romanians believe that alternative medicine is not good in Romania. People turn to alternative therapies for many reasons such as a bad experience with traditional medicine, positive personal experience, traditional medicine has nothing to offer, or maybe when the diagnosis is terminal, they feel there is nothing to lose. But unfortunately, people who wish to try alternative medicines are disappointed as they feel there are no good alternative medicines available in Romania.