Outpatient Treatment in Poland in 2024

Outpatient Treatment in Poland in 2024

At the end of 2024, there were 24,225 outpatient clinics, 532 healthcare facilities, and 2,508 dental clinics operating within the framework of outpatient treatment in Poland, providing services financed from public funds.

During the year, 324.7 million medical consultations and 35.8 million dental consultations were provided. Nearly 8.6% of medical consultations in primary healthcare were conducted via telemedicine.

Clinics and Healthcare Facilities
At the end of 2024, there were 27,265 outpatient healthcare facilities operating – 24,225 clinics, 532 healthcare facilities, and 2,508 dental clinics providing services financed from public funds.

Compared to the previous year, the number of clinics increased by 765 facilities (3.3%), while the number of healthcare and dental facilities decreased by 134 (4.2%). In urban areas, there were 21,829 outpatient healthcare facilities operating, and in rural areas – 5,436.

The largest number of clinics operated in the Masovian Voivodeship (3,685), and the smallest – in the Opole Voivodeship (587). The largest number of healthcare and dental facilities providing publicly funded medical services were located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship (347), and the smallest – in the Lubusz and Lesser Poland Voivodeships (114 each).

On average, there were 1,375 people per outpatient healthcare facility (38 fewer than in 2023). The highest number of patients per clinic and practice was recorded in the Pomeranian Voivodeship (1,624 people), and the lowest – in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (1,158 people).

Outpatient Consultations
In 2024, a total of 360.6 million outpatient medical consultations were provided in clinics and private practices – 324.7 million medical consultations (4.0% more than in 2023) and 35.8 million dental consultations (2.6% more). In primary healthcare, 187.0 million consultations were provided (3.2% more), and in specialized healthcare – 137.8 million (5.0% more).

In primary healthcare, 37.1 million consultations were provided to children and adolescents under 18 years of age (0.6% more than in 2023), and 67.3 million consultations to persons aged 65 and over (6.1% more).

In specialized healthcare, 17.6 million consultations were provided to children and adolescents under 18 years of age (4.1% more), and 42.5 million consultations to persons aged 65 and over (7.1% more).

In 2024, 16.1 million medical consultations in primary healthcare were provided via teleconsultations (6.1% less than in 2023), and in specialized healthcare – 9.3 million (3.8% less).

Direct dental care included 26,300 consultations.

In specialized medical care, the largest share was attributed to surgical clinics (17.7%). A large number of consultations were also recorded in gynecological and obstetric clinics (10.5%) and ophthalmology clinics (8.5%).

In 2024, the average number of outpatient consultations per capita was 9.6. The highest value of the indicator was recorded in the Masovian Voivodeship (10.6), and the lowest – in the Opole Voivodeship (7.9).

Data source: Statistics Poland (GUS)