In a concerning trend, more than half of general practitioners in the Emilia Romagna region are exceeding the maximum limit of 1,500 assisted patients, according to data provided by the Gimbe Foundation. This statistic rings alarm bells for family doctors in the region, who are struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of patients.
The situation has reached a critical point, as illustrated by a recent incident in Rimini where a doctor was forced to hang a sign outside his surgery due to the excessive patient load. Doctor Camillini emphasized the importance of providing quality medical care, stating that it is simply not possible with 1,600 patients on their roster.
Adding to the already challenging scenario is the shortage of general practitioners in Emilia Romagna. The Gimbe Foundation estimates that there is a deficit of 418 doctors in the region, highlighting a broader issue of insufficient staffing in the healthcare sector.
This shortage is not unique to Emilia Romagna, as data from the Italian Federation of General Practitioners reveals a national shortfall of more than 3,100 doctors, particularly acute in northern regions. The upcoming retirement of over 11,000 general practitioners between 2023 and 2026 further exacerbates the problem, underscoring the urgency of addressing the root causes of the healthcare workforce crisis.
Nino Cartabellotta, president of the Gimbe Foundation, pointed to inadequate planning and generational turnover as key factors contributing to the shortage of general practitioners across all regions. While temporary measures such as raising the retirement age and adjusting patient limits may offer short-term relief, Cartabellotta emphasized the need for long-term solutions to address the underlying issues.
Among the regions facing the highest patient-to-doctor ratios are Lombardy, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Veneto, Valle d’Aosta, Trento, and Campania. Marche fares slightly better with 45.8% of doctors exceeding the 1,500 patient threshold, but the overarching trend of overloaded general practitioners remains a pressing concern nationwide. As the healthcare sector grapples with these challenges, urgent action is needed to ensure access to quality medical care for all patients in Italy.