1/2 The Schouten couple with their successors Naomi Weijer-Schouten and Koen van Helmond (photo: Imke van de Laar)
While many GPs protested on the Malieveld in The Hague on Friday afternoon, the GP couple Rita and Stephan Schouten are celebrating. After having had a practice together for 32 years, they are retiring. And although it is difficult to find a successor in these times, one is already ready: their daughter Naomi.
There is a long line of patients waiting in the sports hall where the farewell reception for Rita and Stephan Schouten is held. They shook hands with everyone. Yet they stand here with mixed feelings.
Stephan explains: “It does feel a bit strange. If we hadn’t had a farewell reception, we would certainly have gone to The Hague to demonstrate. We waved goodbye to the general practitioners from Oss who did go this morning.” Rita adds with a smile: “We had already planned this party and already sent out the invitations. Otherwise we would have definitely reschedule.”
“I was called crazy for wanting to be a doctor.”
Rita and Stehan started their own practice 32 years ago. Those were very different times, Stehan explains. “At that time there was no shortage, but there was a surplus of general practitioners. You really had to look for a job. People thought I was crazy that I was going to train as a general practitioner.”
Everything was different for Rita too. “There were almost no female GPs at the time. We were very lucky to be able to take over a practice. It was a practice at home, which I could combine with caring for the children.”
Yet daughter Naomi spent much of her childhood in general practice. “When I was very small, I stood in the maxi-cosi in the corner. And when I grew older, I was allowed to open the door for patients during consultation hours.” It is therefore not surprising that Naomi is now taking over the practice. After all, learned young has gone old.
“You no longer stand on a pedestal, but among the people.”
Naomi takes over her parents’ practice, together with general practitioner Koen van Helmond. “I have been an acting general practitioner for about three years now. But if you have your own practice, you can provide better care. Then you really know all patients and you know what is going on in their lives.”
Yet Naomi also shares her parents’ concerns. “The care is hidden. Hospitals and care institutions have long waiting times. Until then, as a general practitioner, you are responsible. If someone needs care, we can no longer simply refer them to a hospital or specialist.” She would also like to make more time for her patients and have less red tape.
That used to be different, Rita and Stephan know. “If we urgently needed something, we simply got it from the pharmacy. Nowadays you have to fill in a lot of forms first, which is a lot of hassle.”
Another difference is how people view the GP. Stephan: “You no longer stand on a pedestal, but you stand between people.” He laughs and reminisces. “In my early years, I once had to go to a man at night because he had heart problems. When I rang the bell, he opened the door dressed in a suit, because the doctor came.”
Patients have also become more empowered over the years. But Rita and Stephan are fine with that too. “We think it is positive that they dare to say more and come to the consultation hour prepared.”
“More and more things are on our plate, we are almost drowning.”
Although Naomi is at the reception, she would also have liked to demonstrate at the Malieveld. “I would like to send out a signal. More and more things are on our plate, we are almost drowning. And there are fewer and fewer GPs who still want to run a practice.”
Still, she is positive about the future. “Certainly. I am positive and combative. Koen and I are a new generation. We dare to say ‘no’ to the rules if we have to. We want to be close to our patients.”
When asked if Rita and Stephan will miss the profession, they laugh heartily. “Koen is going on holiday soon. Then we will fill in for him. Then we will be back in practice for a while.”