Ombudsman: 10% of patients thank doctors after a hint or request from medical staff

The Ombudsman's Office has released data showing that 85% of those who gave money or gifts to medical staff in addition to official payments in the past three years did so on their own initiative. However, 10% of respondents admitted they acted after a hint or request from a doctor or other medical worker.

Overall, 40% of surveyed Latvian residents reported giving money or gifts to healthcare workers in the last three years, mostly when receiving state-funded services. The main reason was a desire to express gratitude (68%).

Ombudsman Karina Palkova emphasized that the wish to show appreciation is understandable but must be distinguished from informal payments. She stated that patients should never feel that better treatment can be obtained with gifts, as this threatens equal treatment and undermines trust in the system.

The study also found that 60% of residents consider it acceptable to thank a doctor on their own initiative, and 54% find it acceptable in particularly significant life situations. The Ombudsman's Office noted that while most expressions of gratitude are voluntary, the 10% of cases initiated by medical staff indicate a problem. The office calls for creating clear and ethical ways to express gratitude while raising public awareness of patient rights.

The survey was conducted by the research center "Kantar" among 1,000 residents aged 18 to 75.