Barreras y facilitadores de acceso a los servicios de salud bucal para la población adulta mayor atendida en la red pública hospitalaria de Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Problem: Analysis of the access to health services by the elderly population from qualitative methodological perspectives. Objective: Identifying from the perspective of the healthcare personnel barriers/facilitators for access to oral health services for the elderly served in the public hospital network in Medellin. Methods: qualitative study performed through 34 interviews. Barriers/facilitators were identified according to four categories (availability (D), accessibility (A), acceptability (P) and contact with the service (C)). Results: Barriers: Difficulties in the implementation of social policies; priority of other populations to obtain health care; insufficient human resources (D); disability condition (A); cultural and gender aspects (P); crisis of the health sector (C). Facilitators: programs that facilitate the induced demand and mechanisms to demand their rights regarding health care (D); location of the health care units in easily accessible areas (A); ability of the professionals (P), and coordination of dentistry with other areas (C).