THEhe Italian healthcare system is preparing to experience one of the most significant transformations of recent decades. The traditional family doctor’s officea point of reference for generations of Italians, it may soon become a thing of the pastleaving room for a completely renewed organizational model.
Family doctor: how it changes
The reform project in the pipeline envisages a radical transformation: future family doctors they will no longer be freelancers working in their own studio, but public employees integrated into larger and more organized structures. This silent revolution is taking shape through the introduction of Community Housesreal local health centers that promise to change the face of local health care.
It should be noted that it will not be a mandatory choice. GPs will also be able to decide to remain in private practice and remain affiliated (an option is being considered). In this case, however, they will have to make a minimum number of hours available for local healthcare between 2pm and 4pm per week.
The emerging model
The new structures are configured as multifunctional centers where citizens will be able to find not only their doctorbut a complete team of healthcare professionals. A change that brings with it an ambitious promise: transforming the current model into an integrated and coordinated system.
Revolution for family doctors: in the future the organization of their work will change. (Getty)
The map of change
The current implementation picture, however, reveals a two-speed Italy, with the North leading the transformation: Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna have already activated over 250 Community Houses. The Center shows an evolving situation, with Tuscany and other regions accelerating the process. Unfortunately, the South and some areas of the Center show delays, with several regions still stuck in the starting blocks.
The expected effects on public health
The reorganization aims to achieve various strategic objectives:
- Reduce emergency room overcrowding
- Ensure more effective management of chronic diseases
- Improve prevention through a more structured approach
- Facilitate access to primary care
Family doctor: the challenges to face
The implementation path is not without obstacles. The challenges are different and include, mainly the need to complete over 900 structures in less than two yearsbut also the overcoming of family doctors’ resistance to change. No less will help achieve harmonization of services between the different regions and manage the management of the transition period.
Perspectives for family doctors and citizens
The goal is ambitious: create a network of 1,350 Community Houses by 2026 that they can become the new hub of local healthcare. A goal that will require not only significant investments, but also a profound cultural change in the way in which health services are provided and used.
The paradigm shift
This transformation marks the transition from a care model based on the direct doctor-patient relationship to a more structured one. A change that would bring Italian healthcare closer to Northern European modelswhere integration between services is already a consolidated reality.
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