New research shows that they consider 28.9% of their consultants are not needed
86% of G.P’s working in Spain have said that they think a system of co-payment, where the patient makes a contribution at point of use, should be introduced.
They say they want the change, not as a punishment, but as a solution to reduce the inadequate and unnecessary use of their time and services by a proportion of the population.
Julio Zarco, President of the Spanish Society of Front Line Doctors, SEMERGEN, was presenting a report on the situation of family doctors in Spain, based on a questionnaire sent to 1,500 doctors.
‘People have to understand that they should not go to the doctor with a cold or fever’, he said, with the research indicating that.
The G.P.’s consider that 28.9% of their consults are unnecessary currently, and take away time from their other duties, such as bureaucratic matters, and increase their stress level.
Zarco said the doctors were also in favour of more attention by phone to patients, and called for better education programs. He also noted that 58% of G.P’s are over the age of 51, and there was a need for a younger team.