Description
The project is a response to the problem of limited availability (long queues) of costly imaging examinations (MRI scan, CAT, PET-CT) in public healthcare institutions. The objectives of the project are: - civic activisation in the field of queue monitoring for imaging examinations in public healthcare institutions, and - providing patients with a practical tool for finding institution where the queue is shortest. Internet portal KOLEJKOSKOP.PL will be a platform to: - gather information from patients on waiting times for imaging examinations, - check actual waiting times for examinations in different healthcare institutions in Poland, - follow the changes in waiting times, - gather data to improve the quality of advocacy, - promote civic activisation as a stimulus for change in healthcare policy. The queues for imaging examinations will also be monitored by representatives of our foundation. The project will be conducted in partnership with Kraftur Cancer Foundation.
Summary of project results
"In Poland, a significant problem is the limited accessibility to costly medical imaging diagnostics (magnetic resonance, tomography, PET-CT)) under the public healthcare system. The problem is especially acute for patients with cancer. Persons waiting for diagnostics had no means to check the waiting times, to compare how long the queues were in different medical centres, and to find the quickest date for diagnostic visit. The portal of the National Health Fund (NFZ) dedicated to queues was difficult to use and presented very incomplete information. The aim of the project was to make it easier for patients to find information on availability of imaging diagnostics. Under the project, an easy to use and regularly updated portal Kolejkoskop.pl was launched that enables patients to check the waiting times for imaging diagnostics in 500 medical centres finaced by NFZ and to find out where the services can be most conveniently got in a chosen region or town. The launching of the portal Kolejkoskop.pl encouraged NFZ to modify their own web page and to create the Nationwide Directory on Waiting Times for Medical Services. Data needed for the protal were gathered by telephone consultants who monitored availability of imaging diagnostics in almost 500 diagnostic centres throughout Poland. Also users of the portal could report the actual waitning times. During six months from launching of the portal (November 2014), it was visited by 33 146 persons. Active users sent 1813 pieces of information. Direct beneficiaries of the project were patients (we estimate that approx. 1 145 339 persons were reached by the Internet advertisment of the portal). The Alivia Foundation contacted the partner, Kraftur Cancer Foundation (Rejkjavik), and met them twice. During the meetings, the actual availability of imaging diagnostsics in Poland and in Iceland was discussed, as well as methods of contacting diagnostic centres and users of the portal, and ideas for promotion of the project and future financing of the portal."
Summary of bilateral results
"Bilateral partnership was a significant aspect of the project. It allowed to validate project's assumption and goals in wider perspective. Thanks to many comments provided by partner on original concept of the project the final result (web portal) gained new important features (e.g. possibility for users to directly report queue times). Moreover the project was recognized by various stakeholders (including media) as international - without this feature we would be not able to raise so much attention and media coverage. Bilateral partnership generated benefits beyond core area of the project – the grantee managed to understand many aspects of healthcare system organization in donor partners' country. These aspects are an inspiration for the grantee, which also gained knowledge about various advocacy activities."