OBJECTIVES : We aimed to assess waiting times (WT) to schedule an appointment and at the health care facility for general practice (GP), public and private specialist care in Hungary. We also aimed to identify population groups for whom WT was perceived as problematic.

METHODS : An online survey was carried out on a representative sample (n=1000) of Hungary's population, based on a set of questions developed by the OECD. Perceived health status was measured. Median WT were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to identify respondents` characteristics who reported that WT was a problem for them.

RESULTS : Among respondents who had an outpatient visit in the last 12 months prior to the survey (n=731), median WT to schedule an appointment were 0 days (same day) for GP, between 8-14 days for specialists in the public sector and 6-7 days for specialists in the private sector. The share of patients who got an appointment within one week were 90%, 42.5%, 62.4% respectively. Nevertheless, 38.1% of the patients waited more than a month to schedule a specialist appointment in the public system. Median WT at the health facilities prior to the visit were between 30-60 minutes for GP and specialists in the public sector, and 0-15 minutes for specialists in the private sector. Regression results show that women were significantly more likely to report that WT to schedule an appointment was a problem for them. Waiting prior to the visit was more likely a problem for patients younger than 35 years of age. Perceived health status was not an important determinant of WT as a problem.

CONCLUSIONS : Although the majority of patients reported accessing GP and private outpatient services within a week, long waiting times are reported in the public sector that can limit the timely accessibility of specialist care in Hungary.