Greece is launching a new digital system that allows patients to rate public hospitals based on their personal experiences after discharge, marking a significant shift toward greater transparency and accountability in the country’s healthcare system.
The initiative, set to begin on Monday, July 14, 2025, enables patients who were hospitalized for at least one day to evaluate the specific clinic where they were treated by completing a 35-question survey sent via SMS. The process takes just three minutes and preserves the anonymity of respondents.
According to Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, the goal is to “give a voice to the citizens” and gather meaningful feedback on both the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare services—ranging from issues as simple as cleanliness to the accuracy of diagnoses.
Anonymous, Real-Time Feedback
Once a patient is discharged, they will receive a unique link five days later to complete the survey online. The only requirement is that they are enrolled in Greece’s e-prescription system, and the link remains active for seven days. The data collected will focus on individual hospital clinics rather than the hospitals as a whole, offering more targeted insight for improvements.
Key evaluation criteria include hospital hygiene, the quality of care, interaction with staff, food, and overall organization. Patients are also asked to give a general rating based on their personal experience.
Importantly, patient identities are never disclosed. The system uses a unique ID and digital verification to ensure secure and anonymous participation.
From Patient Voices to Public Scores
The survey results will be analyzed and published, creating a publicly accessible satisfaction score for each clinic and hospital. Officials say this data will be used not to punish underperforming facilities, but to offer support and incentives to those that meet or exceed expectations.
“This isn’t a poll—it’s a management tool,” said Greece’s Deputy Health Minister. “We’re collecting real-time information directly from the people who used the services, which helps us understand the actual conditions in hospitals.”
A Broader Push for Digital Accountability
This healthcare evaluation system follows Greece’s earlier rollout of a similar platform for public sector services. Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou emphasized that the healthcare sector, while more complex, is a natural next step.
The joint initiative by the Health and Digital Governance ministries reflects a broader political commitment to a more transparent and citizen-oriented public service framework.
“This is not just about technology—it’s about building trust and improving performance across the board,” said General Secretary for Health Services Lilian Venetia Vildiridi, who also noted that the survey is open only to citizens over 18 who were hospitalized for at least one day.
