The healthcare system in Italy is facing a growing crisis as the number of family doctors continues to decrease while the number of patients continues to rise.
According to recent reports from several prominent news sources, including TGCOM, ANSAC Agency, Il Fatto Quotidiano, and Corriere della Sera, there are over 3,100 general practitioners missing in the country. This shortage is particularly alarming as it means that many family doctors are being overwhelmed with large numbers of patients.
In fact, a recent study found that one in every two general practitioners in Italy currently has more than 1,500 patients. This is leading to longer wait times for appointments, rushed consultations, and an overall decrease in the quality of care being provided.
The situation is especially dire in the northern regions of Italy, where there is a lack of elderly general practitioners who are able to take on the workload of retiring doctors. In Veneto, for example, there is a significant shortage of family doctors, with the region ranking second in the country for the number of missing general practitioners.
With over 11,400 family doctors set to retire by 2026, the healthcare system in Italy is facing a potential crisis if immediate action is not taken to address this shortage. Patients may find it increasingly difficult to access the care they need, leading to negative health outcomes and increased strain on the healthcare system as a whole.
Authorities and healthcare organizations must work together to find solutions to this growing problem, whether it be through incentivizing young doctors to enter general practice, increasing funding for family medicine training programs, or implementing technology to streamline patient care. Only through proactive measures can Italy avoid a full-blown healthcare crisis in the coming years.