General practitioner doctors (GPs) are voicing concerns about patient behaviour six years after the implementation of the national health system, GHS.
Many patients are reportedly bypassing their GPs to directly seek specialist care or demanding referrals without proper medical assessment.
Dr. Mary Avraamidou, vice-president of the Society of Family Doctors, told philenews that GPs are often judged not on their medical abilities but on their willingness to issue referrals.
“From the day GHS was implemented until today, we see almost no improvement in how a large portion of beneficiaries behave,” she said.
Avraamidou cited examples of patients requesting unnecessary ultrasounds or annual cardiologist check-ups without GP consultation.
Some GPs have begun documenting phone calls from patients demanding referrals after already booking specialist appointments.
Official GHS data supports these claims.
Only 4.5% of referrals issued by GPs were classified as urgent, suggesting that when GPs deem specialist care necessary, they make the referrals themselves.
“The GP is a doctor. They have the speciality, experience, and qualifications to judge if their patient needs further monitoring by another doctor,” Avraamidou emphasised.
She acknowledged that the Health Insurance Organisation is trying to educate citizens on proper GESY use but noted that progress is slow.
Avraamidou called for a serious study of the GP system within GHS to improve its functionality and benefit the overall healthcare system.
In a separate development, GPs have begun administering annual flu vaccinations to vulnerable groups.
Avraamidou reported that the vaccine ordering and distribution process is proceeding smoothly this year, with the Ministry of Health having secured sufficient quantities.
The flu vaccination is included in the quality indicators set by the Health Insurance Organisation for GPs. Avraamidou stressed its importance in protecting vulnerable groups from potentially fatal flu complications.
Concurrently, COVID-19 vaccinations are available at Adult Vaccination Centres for those 12 and older, and at Maternal and Child Welfare Centres for children aged 6 months to 11 years, on a walk-in basis.
