EVALUATING COST-SHARING AND DRUG CONSUMPTION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES: THE CASE OF KAYSERI UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the cost-sharing and drug consumption in healthcare services of students studying at universities. Methods: Questionnaires were conducted with 1090 students who were studying at Kayseri University. Percentages, mean values, standard deviations, Independent Groups t-test and ANOVA Test were used. Results: A total of 30.9% of the participants responded as “I strongly agree” to the expressions of “Box reduction because of the surcharge paid per box”; 34.6% “Not purchasing the drug because of drug participation share”; 33.1% “Box reduction because of price difference”; and 29.9% “Equivalent drug use because of price difference”. It was also found that there were significant differences between the monthly family income variable and box reduction because of additional fee paid per box, not purchasing the drug because of drug participation share, box reduction because of price difference, and equivalent drug use because of price difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that many participants did not find the examination and drug participation share payments righteous, and agreed to box reduction because of the surcharge paid per box in drug purchase in case of cost sharing, not purchasing the drug even it runs out because of the drug participation share, box reduction because of price difference, and equivalent drugs. It is recommended to prepare out-of-the-pocket expenditure programs to decrease the risk of low-income groups’ not being able to access healthcare services.