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This study explores the determinants of unmet healthcare needs among older Europeans following the pandemic. Using data from the SHARE study involving 37,225 individuals aged 50 and above, we examine the barriers to healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic and the utilization of telemedicine. Approximately 15% of older adults reported unmet healthcare needs after the pandemic, while almost one in three utilized telemedicine during that period. Interestingly, those who used telehealth during the pandemic were more likely to report ongoing unmet healthcare needs. Persistent inequalities in healthcare access were observed for women, those living alone, individuals with financial challenges, and in poorer health. While telemedicine played an important role in enhancing healthcare access, its impact was limited, buffering only a part of unmet healthcare needs in the pandemic. Despite challenges in telemedicine adoption among older adults, it remains a promising tool for ensuring healthcare access in future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The unmet healthcare needs, particularly of the vulnerable population groups, are undoubtedly a challenge for the health systems, given the current economic situation. They arise from obstacles relating to either the health systems or personal characteristics and individual behaviors. Aim: The purpose of the present study is twofold: to assess the impact of the economic crisis in Greece on the unmet healthcare needs of the vulnerable population groups and to determine the factors that may be related to these problems of access to health services. Method: A searching for articles on the PUBMED/MEDLINE electronic databases and on the GOOGLE SCHOLAR search engine was carried out, The key words used were: unmet healthcare needs, accessibility, economic crisis, inequalities, Greece. The articles (written in Greek and English) covered the period before and during the economic crisis, which means the period 2004-2017. Results: During the economic crisis in Greece, the unmet healthcare needs of the vulnerable population groups increased significantly, reflecting serious problems of access to necessary health care. Among the most often self-reported reasons for not using a health service were high cost, long waiting lists and lack of time. People of low socio-economic profile, with no health insurance, women and married with children were found to report more often unmet health needs compared to the general population. Conclusions: Greece is among the countries with the highest (compared to other European countries) rates of unmet needs in vulnerable social groups. There is a need to redesign the way in which healthcare is provided and to take measures at local and national level in order to be provided equal treatment for all on the basis of their real needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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