Per una definizione operativa del concetto di Patient Access

Keywords: patient access; access to health; health determinants; case study; behavioral sciences SUMMARY Objectives: this study proposes an operational definition of Patient Access that serves as a comprehensive and effective tool for diagnosing access issues in healthcare and social-health services and aims to promote interventions aimed at improving equity. The concept of Patient Access represents an emerging paradigm for understanding and addressing inequalities in access to healthcare services. Methods: the proposed operational definition utilizes analytical and interpretative scientific models. The underlying reflection adopts a multidimensional approach that integrates the assessment of both individual and collective behaviors, emphasizing the importance of a holistic perspective that considers the interactions among organizational, cultural, behavioral, and technological factors. Results: the proposed definition serves as a comprehensive and effective tool for diagnosing access issues in healthcare and social-health services. It includes a holistic assessment of individual and collective behaviors, taking into account the interactions among organizational, cultural, sociological, and technological factors. Conclusions: the concept of Patient Access represents an emerging paradigm for understanding and addressing inequalities in access to healthcare services. It can provide a conceptual framework for defining health policies that prioritize equity in access to healthcare and social-health services while ensuring system sustainability.