Health Review | May – August 2021

Introduction: Pandemics and epidemics have always been an important part of human history, affecting millions of people around the world. At an international, European and national level, huge sums of money are being spent on combating these crises in order to battle and prevent their spread. Aim: The study of the pandemics that have struck humanity, as well as finding and identifying the extent of the social and economic impact they have had on the affected countries. Method: A systematic review of papers published up until August 2020 was conducted. Search was performed on PubMed, Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar and the keywords used were "pandemic", "epidemic", "socio-economic impact" and "infectious diseases". The criteria for inclusion in this review were the calculation by researchers of the economic and social impact of a pandemic. Results: Only 36 of the scientific papers retrieved met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The 18 studies assessed the extent of the social impact of pandemics in the affected countries and the other 18 assessed their economic consequences in the states and in the global market. Conclusions: Pandemics have significant socio-economic impact: mental health disorders, social isolation, stigma, restriction of human rights, travel limitations, reduction of labor in all areas of the labor market, reduction of the productive process and of the demand for consumer goods, rising inflation and unemployment, as well as health spending.

Introduction: One’s health literacy level is becoming an important determinant factor in the process of maintaining individual and public health, while affecting communication and satisfaction both from the doctor and the health system. Purpose: To investigate the importance of both doctor communication and health literacy on the user of health services as far as the overall health management and satisfaction from public health services provided by the Pammakaristos Hospital of Divine Providence is concerned. Methodology: For the needs of this study 220 patientsrecipients of this specific hospital’s health services were approached (convenience samples) during March to July 2019. By conducting personal interview, patients were asked to answer questions expressing their views on doctor patient communication and relationship and on health literacy. The internal reliability of this questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s-a coefficient. The statistical program SPSS22.0 was used for this analysis. Results: 76.4% of the participants declared that the doctor always/often dedicates the needed time during the visit, while 35.4% of the respondents stated that they avoid asking their doctor questions, because they think that he is in a hurry or does not have much time. 79.1% of the respondents answered that their doctor lets them talk always/often without interrupting. However, 44.6% of the doctors speak in medical terms and patients have difficulty in understanding them. In addition, 75% of the participants always/often read the instructions on the medicine box, while 36.4% do not understand them. 63.7% of the participants are unable to prevent possible complications from their disease. Conclusion: Empowering citizens with communication and health literacy skills will lead to their active participation on deciding for disease prevention, health promotion and protection.

This research attempts to investigate the application of the institutional framework of pharmaceutical policy and drug financing in Greece and specifically in the prefecture of the Cyclades as its geographical (cluster of islands) and socioeconomic characteristics differentiate it from the rest. We focus on e-prescription, generic medicines and medication deficiencies in the Greek market and the pharmacists’ attitude in the prefecture of the Cyclades (Greece) towards the aforementioned points. To this cause, we conducted quantitative research and the views of 109 private pharmacists (sample), who maintain a pharmacy in the prefecture of the Cyclades, were sought through a structured electronic questionnaire. 93 pharmacists, comprising 85% of the sample, responded to the research and the results show that all the participants have a positive attitude to e-prescription, for it promotes the better operation of the pharmacy and the services provided to the customers-patients, thus accepting it as an institution. As far as generic medicines are concerned, the respondents have reservations concerning their effectiveness, safety and specifications, while their level of trust in the Greek inspecting authorities is low. Finally, the medication deficiencies are obvious, to a large extent; in several categories of medicines in the Greek market; something that causes problems to both pharmacists and patients.

The CoViD-19 pandemic, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, has brought the Long-Term Care Sector (LTC) into an unprecedented emergency situation. Statistics from various European countries show that high rates of CoViD19-related deaths occur in elderly people living in LTC units. This article presents the results of a bibliographical study and a quantitative survey conducted through questionnaire answered by owners, directors and administrators of Elderly Care Units in Greece. An attempt was also made to record the policies followed to prevent and tackle the CoViD-19 pandemic. The results of the implementation of these policies are presented as well as the economic and operational impact on Elderly Care Units, and the psychological impact to their residents, the residents' relatives, and human resources of the Units. The LTC sector in Greece holds positive results in preventing and treating the transmission of coronavirus at national level. Moreover, Greek LTC sector understood early on the seriousness of the upcoming situation; Therefore, was suitably prepared by training its human resources, by informing the relatives of the measures to be taken, and was strongly attuned to the international updates on the evolution of events. However, the economic impact on the sector was large, reflected by a loss of revenue and profits and a large increase in costs, due to the nearly non-existent state assistance. Furthermore, according to the survey responses, the negative effects of "home" restriction and the ban on visiting for more than 6 months are reflected in the psychological state of the Units’ residents and their relatives.

Improving supply chain efficiency In 2009, for fear of H1N1 flu epidemic, the Health Minister proceeded into the purchase of huge amounts of masks and vaccines. Fortunately, that epidemic proved to be less severe than what was anticipated, and as a result the vast majority of the supplies were idle. Under the harsh criticism of the Press against the misuse of public resources, all the following health ministers were hesitant to maintain sufficient stocks of medical equipment.