Administrative burdens in medical appointments: Experiences of compliance costs among citizens with poor health

Abstract

Several studies have shown that socioeconomically disadvantaged citizens experience more administrative burdens in their interactions with the public sector. However, there is still limited knowledge – both in Denmark and internationally – about citizens’ experiences of burdens in their encounters with the healthcare system. This article explores whether citizens with poor health or poor mental well-being experience higher compliance costs when visiting their doctor. The analysis is based on the Danish segment of the European Quality of Life Survey, which includes a representative sample of 1,020 Danes. The results indicate that both poor health and poor psychological well-being are associated with higher perceived compliance costs. However, there is no support for the expectation that individuals with both poor health and poor mental well-being experience particularly many administrative burdens.