Health services of Fjallabyggð: Attitudes of the population following major social changes

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present a study on attitudes of the population in Fjallabyggð towards access to healthcare service and its diversity and quality, in an age of austerity, which the restructuring after the economic collapse of 2008 demanded, and the tunnel in Héðinsfjörður made possible. We used a mixed method with a transformational design. First, data were collected by questionnaires (response rate of 53% in 2009 and 30% in 2012), followed by ten interviews (2009 and 2014). The results were integrated and interpreted within the ecological model of Bronfenbrenner relating to the interactions between the individual and the environment. Findings show significantly less satisfaction with the availability and diversity of healthcare service in 2012, after the merger and downsizing. Solid primary healthcare, good local elderly care, some freedom in healthcare choice and reliable emergency services were considered fundamental for life in a rural area. The results indicate that improved transportation infrastructure contributed positively to the development of healthcare service and enhanced equality and human rights. The financial cutbacks to health institutes, had however, a negative impact on attitudes.