Access barriers to the colombian health system in rural areas: perceptions of users of the subsidized regime

Abstract

Objective: To explore the perception users of the subsidized regime of the municipality of Sonsón, Colombia had in 2016 about the barriers to the access to health services. Methods: Qualitative research with a hermeneutic historical approach with the participation of 16 informants who were interviewed and their stories were transcribed, codified and analyzed based on the Grounded Theory. Results: Economic and administrative barriers that limit the access of people to health services were identified represented by delays in claiming medicines and their incomplete distribution, leading people to assume out-of-pocket costs or giving up on treatment. Conclusions: These barriers are more recalcitrant in poor and vulnerable populations since their condition limits their possibilities to face the eventualities derived from the existing barriers in the system.