GESY - INCONVENIENCE OF PATIENTS AND DOCTORS - OSAK CALLS FOR REVISION OF RESTRICTIONS AND RULES - ''DISTORTIONS BURDEN CITIZENS, PROFESSIONALS AND THE SYSTEM'' - Filenews 17/6 by Marilena Panayi
The need to review a series of restrictions currently applied to the General Health System (GHS), with the aim of reducing the distortions that have been created in its daily operation, was highlighted by the president of the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations, Charalambos Papadopoulos, during a press conference.
As he mentioned, the GHS recently completed seven years of operation, being one of the most important social reforms in Cyprus. OSAK, he noted, has always supported the implementation of the system and will continue to be "on the front line of defense or attack" whenever it is necessary to protect its philosophy, structure and character.
"During the first years of the implementation of the GHS, abuses were observed, while at the same time thousands of citizens who until then were unable to financially cover their health needs took advantage of free access to services and examinations for the first time. In this context, the Health Insurance Organization proceeded to impose restrictions on the prescription of medicines and referrals for examinations", measures which, according to the president of OSAK, "may have been justified at that time".
However, as he argued, "over the years these restrictions have multiplied and now create significant dysfunctions, burdening waiting lists, causing unnecessary referrals to specialist doctors and inconvenience both patients and health professionals".
Mr. Papadopoulos also gave specific examples of restrictions that cause serious distortions and unnecessary, as he argued, mobility in the System:
The need to review a series of restrictions currently applied to the General Health System (GHS), with the aim of reducing the distortions that have been created in its daily operation, was highlighted by the president of the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations, Charalambos Papadopoulos, during a press conference.
As he mentioned, the GHS recently completed seven years of operation, being one of the most important social reforms in Cyprus. OSAK, he noted, has always supported the implementation of the system and will continue to be "on the front line of defense or attack" whenever it is necessary to protect its philosophy, structure and character.
"During the first years of the implementation of the GHS, abuses were observed, while at the same time thousands of citizens who until then were unable to financially cover their health needs took advantage of free access to services and examinations for the first time. In this context, the Health Insurance Organization proceeded to impose restrictions on the prescription of medicines and referrals for examinations", measures which, according to the president of OSAK, "may have been justified at that time".
However, as he argued, "over the years these restrictions have multiplied and now create significant dysfunctions, burdening waiting lists, causing unnecessary referrals to specialist doctors and inconvenience both patients and health professionals".
Mr. Papadopoulos also gave specific examples of restrictions that cause serious distortions and unnecessary, as he argued, mobility in the System:
-The ban on personal doctors prescribing specific drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) forces patients to refer to pulmonologists solely for prescription purposes.
-Similarly, restrictions on the prescription of tryptans for migraine lead, as he said, to an unnecessary burden on neurological services, even though these are drugs that can be safely administered to Primary Health Care, in accordance with international practices.
-In osteoporosis management, personal doctors do not have access to all treatment options nor the possibility of referral for certain basic diagnostic tests, such as vitamin D testing.
He also made special reference to the management of chronic diseases, such as hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
"Most cases can be effectively monitored by personal doctors, with referral to endocrinologists only when it comes to complex cases."
He even stressed that Cyprus "is already facing a problem of shortage of endocrinologists and the existing restrictions further aggravate the situation".
OSAK recommends "the extension of referral rights for diagnostic tests, including CT and MRI scans when there are clear clinical indications, as well as the replacement of horizontal restrictions with evidence-based clinical protocols. At the same time, he proposes to enable Personal Doctors to monitor stable chronic patients, renew treatments and order the necessary tests without mandatory re-examination by a specialist doctor, unless specific criteria are met."
-Similarly, restrictions on the prescription of tryptans for migraine lead, as he said, to an unnecessary burden on neurological services, even though these are drugs that can be safely administered to Primary Health Care, in accordance with international practices.
-In osteoporosis management, personal doctors do not have access to all treatment options nor the possibility of referral for certain basic diagnostic tests, such as vitamin D testing.
He also made special reference to the management of chronic diseases, such as hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
"Most cases can be effectively monitored by personal doctors, with referral to endocrinologists only when it comes to complex cases."
He even stressed that Cyprus "is already facing a problem of shortage of endocrinologists and the existing restrictions further aggravate the situation".
OSAK recommends "the extension of referral rights for diagnostic tests, including CT and MRI scans when there are clear clinical indications, as well as the replacement of horizontal restrictions with evidence-based clinical protocols. At the same time, he proposes to enable Personal Doctors to monitor stable chronic patients, renew treatments and order the necessary tests without mandatory re-examination by a specialist doctor, unless specific criteria are met."
