Key words: role of the patient, patient participation, physician-patient relationship, health care.

Summary. The objective of the study is to explore the attitudes of Lithuanian citizens to health care system and to evaluate their social role in decision-making about their health care. Material and methods. The national cross-sectional survey was conducted March 1–7, 2004. Multi-stage random sampling across the country included adult Lithuanian residents, interviewed in their home (n=1007). The response rate was 56.5%. The attitudes of citizens were evaluated using an anonymous questionnaire, originally developed and adopted with the reference to experience of previously conducted studies. Results. Majority of polled women and men (84.6% and 72.6%) recognized health as very important value in their life and as the most important among other social values. The overall mean of trust in health care system – 41.3%, trust in physicians – 69.9%, implementation of right to health care – 48.9%, concern about health care – 96.5% and patient impact in health care decisions – 19.1%. Nearly half of respondents (47.4%) prefer informative general practitioner-patient interaction model, which is realized in most cases (58.8%). Partnership (shared decision-making) as interaction model is expected by 37.2% of polled respondents and realized in every sixth case in primary care. Conclusions. Health as value is the most preferred among Lithuanian citizens. Younger and more educated people trusted less in health care system, but are more motivated to play an active role in health care decision-making. The informative model of doctor-patient is dominant, while partnership is not so exposed as being expected by patients.

Correspondence to E. Peičius, Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickevičiaus 9, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: eimantas.peicius@med.kmu.lt

Received 6 September 2004, accepted 22 September 2004