Doctors in Benevento Challenge Evaluation of Prescriptive Activity by Health Authority
In response to findings from the Local Health Authority (ASL) of Benevento regarding the prescriptive activity of general practitioners, doctors in the area have raised concerns about the evaluation methods being used. The ASL has been using abstract financial averages to assess the work of doctors, which the doctors argue is unsuitable and unjustified.
In a letter sent to ASL leaders, Carlo Iannotti, company secretary of ASL Benevento of the SMI, emphasized that financial parameters unrelated to clinical results are inappropriate for evaluating the appropriateness of a doctor’s work. The doctors believe that evaluations should be qualitative, focusing on compliance with regulatory rules in individual clinical cases rather than cumulative average expenditure.
Furthermore, the doctors pointed out that variations in prescriptions are not necessarily signs of inappropriate care but rather personalized treatment tailored to individual patient needs. They urge ASL administrators to move away from using averages and algorithms to evaluate prescriptive appropriateness and to adhere to jurisprudential dictates.
The letter also warns against any reckless reduction in additional economic treatment for general practitioners, emphasizing that complaints should be based on serious deviations from scientific evidence rather than statistical calculations. The doctors and their unions are prepared to appeal to judicial authorities if necessary.
The doctors conclude by urging ASL Benevento to prioritize patient care over arbitrary financial evaluations and political legislative choices that could limit treatment options. They emphasize the importance of evidence-based medicine and personalized care in the delivery of healthcare services.
The dispute between doctors and the ASL highlights the ongoing challenges in assessing and evaluating the performance of healthcare providers, particularly in the context of budget constraints and resource allocations. The outcome of this conflict could have significant implications for the delivery of healthcare services in Benevento and beyond.