The COVID-19 pandemic significantly restricted access to healthcare, leading to an increase in unmet medical needs. Many were forced to postpone check-ups, forgo treatment due to fear of infection, or were outright denied medical care, further deepening existing health inequalities.

Šime Smolić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb, gave a lecture on February 12, 2025, based on an article published in Public Sector Economics. The presentation focused on telemedicine, which emerged during the pandemic as an alternative solution, enabling remote consultations and access to medical services without physical contact. While it improved access to healthcare, it failed to fully address the health inequalities that particularly affect women, individuals living alone, and those with chronic illnesses. Moreover, problems with access to healthcare persisted even after the pandemic.

The study on the unmet healthcare needs among individuals over 50 is based on data from SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe), the largest European research infrastructure in social sciences, which collects data on the health, ageing, and living conditions of people over 50 in 27 European countries and Israel.

Telemedicine proved to be more effective in countries with well-developed digital infrastructure, while those lacking clear regulations and financial incentives struggled with its implementation. Despite its great potential, telemedicine often served as a complement rather than a replacement for traditional medical care. To better integrate telemedicine into healthcare systems, it is essential to remove regulatory and financial barriers, invest in digital infrastructure, and provide education to help older individuals easily use digital health services.

The presentation was moderated by Marijana Bađun, a Researcher at the Institute of Public Finance.