NAnd the next few months, the Italian health system will probably live a profound transformation. It is, in fact, under discussion A draft reformrevealed by preview by Dataroom by Milena Gabanelli, which would foresee a radical change In the relationship between general practitioners, family doctors, and the national health service.
Family medical reform: from freelance to addiction
Currently, family doctors operate as free professionals affiliated with the NHS. The new reform, however, aims to make them become employees of the National Health Servicejust like hospital doctors. This choice, supported by the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci and the Regions, aims to improve the efficiency and quality of primary assistance. But let’s see how.
The reason for this change
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the critical issues of the Italian health system, in particular at the territorial level. The figure of the family doctor proved to be fundamental in the management of the emergencybut its operational autonomy has sometimes limited the ability to coordinate the actions at the local level. The new reform aims to overcome these limitsensuring greater integration between family doctors and other professional figures of the National Health Service. In this way, citizens will be possible to offer citizens more complete and personalized, focused on prevention and management of chronicity.
The government proceeds on the reform for family doctors who would become employees of the NHS. The criticisms, however, are turned on (Getty)
What are the main novelties of the reform
The main news of the reform are:
- dependence relationship: the new family doctors will be hired by the NHS, with an indefinite employment contract.
- increased weekly working hours which will be established by law and will vary according to the number of clients.
- greater integration with community houses: Family doctors will work closely with community houses, offering more complete and continuous assistance to citizens.
- specialist training: The formation of future family doctors will be reorganized, with the introduction of a four -year specialist degree course.
What are the advantages
According to the government, These changes will make several advantages: Meanwhile, the dependence on the NHS will facilitate the coordination between family doctors and other health professionals, improving continuity of care. In addition, family doctors will be able to devote more time to the management of chronic diseases, preventing complications and reducing the use of hospital facilities. The reformThen, should guarantee greater equity in accessing careespecially in the most disadvantaged areas. Finally, the new specialist training will allow future family doctors to acquire more updated and specific skills.
Who disagrees with the reform of family doctors
The reform, however, also aroused very critical. Starting from the unionslike the Fimmg, for example, that they oppose the reformclaiming that it could limit the autonomy of doctors and reduce the quality of assistance. Also, there is the risk of an increase in the workload and a decrease in remuneration.
Some family doctors, then, accustomed to the freedom of management of their business, they see with concern the prospect of becoming employees, fearing excessive bureaucratization. Patient associations, on the other hand, express fear for the possible consequences on continuity of care and on the excess of care. To all this must be added, according to the interested parties, the lack of clear information that has generated great uncertainty among the doctors. It is important to underline that The reform is still being discussed And that the positions could evolve over time.
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