The Patterns of Use of Private Digital Primary Healthcare and Its Implications to Region Skåne

Abstract: The research aims to investigate and identify private digital primary healthcare usage patterns, introduced in Sweden in early 2016. The research has been limited to LUSEM bachelor students and its financial implications for the region of Skåne. The research takes a quantitative approach by using an online survey. Further, the study aims to provide insights into the region’s finances and incentivize policymakers to adapt the healthcare system based on the findings, considering the efficiencies digital technologies offer healthcare delivery, especially since COVID-19. However, the risk of getting COVID–19 during a physical healthcare visit had little to no effect on whether students have used private digital healthcare. The data analysis revealed that many LUSEM students trust public physical healthcare more than private digital healthcare. However, they still opt for private digital healthcare due to its convenience. Students seeking private digital healthcare are often redirected to public physical healthcare centers, duplicating healthcare issues through out-of-county costs. Therefore, region Skåne should focus on establishing an efficient and student-centric digital healthcare system to avoid out-of-county costs. However, the results showed limited statistical significance, yet the data results are still relevant to understanding private digital healthcare and highlight the topic’s importance.