Access to positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) in Cyprus alpha cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE To examine patient access to physician consultations and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in Cyprus. METHOD A cross-sectional study was carried out between May 2020 and April 2021. The study population comprised Cypriot citizens aged 18 years or over who had undergone PET/CT scans. A customized questionnaire was used to record their socio-demographic characteristics, access to physicians, and access to PET/CT scans. RESULTS A total of 144 (96 male and 48 female) patients who had undergone a PET/CT scan were included in the study. Most participants (96.9%) reported that they did not experience barriers in accessing their physicians. A statistically significant association was demonstrated between the attending physician setting and the patient's self-assessment of economic status (p < 0.000). Specifically, 85.7% and 91.7%, respectively, of the patients who consulted a physician in a private hospital or private practice, self-assessed their economic status as good/fair. Of patients who consulted a physician in a private hospital or private practice, 62.9% and 66.7%, respectively, reported an annual taxable income of above 19,500 euro (p=0.001). Statistically significant association was identified between the reimbursement of examination costs and the self-assessment of economic status (p=0.043), and annual taxable income (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that patients living in Cyprus face no barriers in accessing physicians and PET/CT scans without delay. Future research should assess approvals and rejections, to ascertain whether the PET/CT scans that are reimbursed are indeed covering pati ent needs.