The Bergamo area has been facing a shortage of doctors, leaving many patients without critical medical care. In response to this issue, Ats Bergamo implemented the Spread Out Clinics in Community Homes project in 2023. The project aimed to address the shortage of doctors by providing alternative medical care options to patients.
Under the project, patients in areas with few doctors were able to book appointments in local pharmacies, via a dedicated app, or at the Single Access Points (Pua) of community houses to obtain prescriptions and non-deferrable visits. The appointments then took place in the community houses, providing patients with access to necessary medical care.
The impact of the project in 2023 was significant, with just under 15 thousand visits carried out for patients left without a doctor in the Bergamo area. A total of 3,738 hours of outpatient activity were carried out, leading to 14,952 visits out of 16,611 made available. The project saw demand saturation of 90%, indicating a strong need for alternative medical care options in the area.
Massimo Giupponi, the general director of Ats Bergamo, described the project as a “transitional instrument” to address the critical shortage of doctors in the area. He emphasized the importance of effective communication and collaboration with doctors to provide a concrete response to the needs of patients.
Local officials also commented on the success of the project, acknowledging its role in addressing the needs of citizens and the territory. They stressed the importance of continued improvement of local services and the need for provincial coordination to address the shortage of doctors.
While the widespread clinics in community homes provided an effective emergency solution, it was recognized that the project was not the ultimate solution to the shortage of family doctors. The local officials emphasized the need to address the underlying issue of the shortage of doctors in the area in the medium term.
Overall, the Spread Out Clinics in Community Homes project has provided critical medical care to patients left without a doctor in the Bergamo area. While it serves as an effective emergency solution, efforts to address the shortage of doctors in the area remain ongoing.