Italy Confronts an Aging Medical Workforce
A recent report released by the Institute of Statistics has shed light on some concerning statistics regarding Italy’s medical workforce. According to the report, a staggering 55.2% of doctors in Italy are aged 55 years and older. This makes Italy’s doctors the oldest in Europe, with France coming in at 44.5%, Germany at 44.1%, and Spain at 32.7%.
The report also highlights that the number of general practitioners (GPs) in Italy has declined over the past decade, with a reduction of 5,187 units. Furthermore, the care load for GPs has increased, with over 40% of them now serving more than the limit of 1,500 patients set by national legislation.
The aging trend is also reflected in the specialist doctor workforce, with 49.2% of specialists aged 55 and over. The report notes that several specializations, including emergency doctors, oncologists, and geriatricians, have seen a rapid increase in the percentage of doctors aged over 54.
The number of doctors employed by the National Health Service (NHS) is not growing, and the report suggests that there has been a decrease in the supply of specialist doctors employed by the NHS. In 2021, specialist doctors employed by the NHS represented a decreasing share over time, standing at 54.8%.
The report indicates that terminations from the service of NHS doctors are increasing over time, with voluntary resignations being one of the significant reasons for termination. In 2021, 30.5% of terminations were due to voluntary resignations, which may highlight the choice to practice one’s profession in the private sector or abroad.
The findings of the report have raised concerns about the future of the Italian healthcare system, especially with the growing demand for medical assistance due to the aging population and the increase in chronic diseases. As Italy confronts an aging medical workforce, urgent reforms and interventions will be necessary to address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system in the years to come.