Scotti (Fimmg): “An important signal from the Government on certificates, now working for the “simplification” of general medicine”
Certifications of illness easier to justify absence from work thanks to the introduction of the possibility of indirect evaluation by the doctor via telemedicine and, therefore, of the possibility of being able to certify also through remote teleconsultation. The provision contained in the Simplifications DDL, approved yesterday in the Council of Ministers, goes in this direction. «A measure supported and strongly desired by Fimmg who, in the various meetings with the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci has provided documented proposals over the last year Precisely to arrive at this provision – underlines the general secretary of Fimmg Silvestro Scotti, who then adds – the Minister must be given credit for having promoted himself with the Presidency of the Council and with all the members of the Government involved”.
The measure aims to simplify the procedures that typically involve an increase in the workload and take away treatment time from a general practice that is increasingly burdened by chronic and elderly patients. General medicine which has always pushed and worked hard to be able to dedicate attention and initiative to its patients, rather than wasting time directly evaluating non-objectifiable symptoms and signs of acute patients. «A first piece that directs a path – adds Silvestro Scotti – to lighten the situation the workloads, too often more administrative than healthcare, which today take too much time away from caring for our patients, which cause doctors to burn out and, not to be underestimated in a time of shortage, reduce the attractiveness of family medicine in the eyes of young graduates. Discipline which is instead essential for theirs professional future, but also for the future of the NHS.” Heartfelt, therefore, the thanks of category towards the Government which has shown a strong political sensitivity, just as the request to proceed now with decision and speed along the path undertaken is strong. «After yesterday’s approval – recalls the Fimmg leader – we are confident in a rapid parliamentary process so that the provision can concretely impact the activity of doctors and the lives of our patients».
AND The path towards de-bureaucratization of general medicine is also long. As highlighted by the general secretary Scotti, there remain various steps to be taken to give shape to a concrete and effective simplification of the activities of general medicine. For Fimmg there are at least three objectives to be achieved in the short term: interoperability and strong application cooperation must be achieved between the many, too many, national, regional and corporate IT platforms. Furthermore, doctors of general medicineeral need to be able to count on unique access credentials, repetitiveness of the pharmaceutical prescription for chronically stabilized patients and, again for chronic patients, it is necessary to overcome the system of therapeutic plans for drugs that are now included in first choice therapies. «Yesterday a positive signal came from the Government – concludes Scotti – we will continue to do what we can our power to continue in this direction, trying also to include in the parliamentary paths of the measure other actions that improve the procedures for citizens and doctors for truly simple and coherent access to care”.
It’s at regarding family doctors, Minister Orazio Schillaci in the Commission Social Affairs of the Chamber for the follow-up to the hearing on the situation of emergency medicine and emergency rooms in Italy, illustrated the role of general medicine: “We are working on a review of local medicine, also taking inspiration from the many discussions we have had this year, we found out that it wasn’t going well during the Covid pandemic. We didn’t develop it well and places were cut bed in hospital. I am not for a ‘hospital-centric’ vision because the contribution of local medicine is also needed. Therefore we must carefully review the contribution of general practitioners and what they do, they are the citizens’ bulwark with respect to health requests. We are talking to each other but we need to review the rules of engagement, I don’t make it a question of contract, I’m not passionate about them becoming NHS employees, but they have to make a contribution hours in the NHS and must be done in the structures responsible for local medicine. I don’t fight on the medical contract but I expect them to work a certain number of hours and ensure their presence in community homes.”
The minister then spoke about the shortage of doctors: “There is and will be especially from this year for the next 3-4 years linked to this pension ‘hump’ because several colleagues will retire. But if we then see that the cooperatives find the ‘coin-paying’ doctors, we have to ask ourselves a question. And last year with the Bills Decree we put a stop to the ‘token operators’ to ensure that they can return with different and fairer rules within the Ssn. The shortage of doctors must be addressed in the next 3-4 years by giving greater dignity professional training for specialists. Before Covid there were 5 thousand a year, now we have reached 15 thousand. Inside, I note as a doctor that many scholarships are not filled and I note that the least chosen specializations, in addition to emergency medicine, are those in which it is difficult or impossible to have an autonomous freelance activity, I mention pathological anatomy and radiotherapy. Think of a hospital without these specialists it is impossible. Those who choose to practice medicine cannot have profit as their sole objective.”
In light of this situation, “we cannot do without a greater contribution from residents, we have doctors. The estimates are that there are 20-30 thousand doctors missing, but we have 40 thousand specialists in the system who are doctors. Therefore – suggests the minister – in harmony with the specialization schools, perhaps not from first year but from the second year we can’t do unless the qualified contribution of these doctors who must be fully included in the NHS in the coming years with forms to be evaluated and distributed throughout the territory. They can’t just work in university hospitals.”
Anaao Assomed positively welcomes the statements of the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci who, in a hearing at the Social Affairs Commission, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to three points considered fundamental by the Association: eliminating the spending cap on staff, giving greater dignity to trainees and evaluate the flat tax for doctors with regards to the component linked to the medical specificity allowance and the specificity allowances of other professionals. “We appreciate the political will expressed by Schillaci to carry on these battles which are also ours – comments Pierino Di Silverio National Secretary of Anaao Assomed -. Now we expect these measures to be implemented soon,essential points for the relaunch of the category and the entire National Health Service. By listening to the social partners we can save the NHS.”
