“The people of La Spezia also appreciate the role of the family doctor as a cornerstone in managing their health. Their esteem honors and gratifies us more in these days, on the eve of new treatment paths to face the challenges linked to the chronic pathologies of the most vulnerable patients, as well as to strengthen prevention and prepare for the challenge of our presence in community homes. ”. This was stated by Maria Pia Ferrara, provincial secretary of Fimmg, highlighting the World Day of Family Doctors which falls on Sunday 19 May.
“It is the moment – adds Ferrara – to express gratitude to our patients for the trust shown through a survey, conducted on a national scale and with homogeneous results even here in the province of La Spezia. Well, 70 percent of those interviewed, with a peak of 80 among those over 60, declare themselves satisfied with their family doctor, considering him the main point for health and a model for the entire health service, whose approval has reached 45 percent.”
According to the Ipsos survey cited by Ferrara “77 percent of citizens would like the family doctor to be a person they trust and to represent the main point of reference for managing their health; for 18 percent it was a support, a useful guide to identify the procedures, specialists and structures best suited to their needs”.
Chronicity and new challenges for the most fragile patients, we were saying. “World Family Doctor Day – underlines Elisa Angelinelli, also a Fimmg representative – gives us the opportunity to present the novelty of the so-called ‘Proactive Paths’. About a quarter of our patients are affected by chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic bronchitis and heart failure and thanks to a program recently developed with Asl 5, they will all be included in a regular check-up process managed by their family doctor. Furthermore, we will have a leading role in carrying out vaccination campaigns, to encourage the adherence of all patients, starting with colorectal screening, which is fundamental for intercepting oncological diseases”.
“The Federation of general practitioners – continues Maria Pia Ferrara – believes in strengthening local medicine so much so that, first in Liguria, we have signed these new agreements with ASL 5 which will allow us to take care of the most fragile patients over 60 ensuring comprehensive and timely care, including for those who are reluctant to undergo regular check-ups.”
“Furthermore – concludes Ferrara – the latest regional agreement provides more resources for our precious nursing staff, who deal with important non-medical tasks which may continue to grow. We are preparing for the future by exploring new ways of intervention within community houses. We believe that the strengthening of general medicine and the widespread presence of the family doctor are fundamental for the development of local medicine”.
