Family doctor: the French more and more disciplined
Posted on September 9, 2008
Filed Under General |
In 2006, 28% of specialist consultations were carried out in direct access, “jumping” the stage of the treating physician. A figure down since amounted to 32% two years earlier, according to data from the Health Survey social protection made public by the Institute for Research and Documentation economy Health Organization (Irdes). Patients who choose a doctor follow the course more care imposed by the reform of 1 January 2006. According to the survey, in seven out of ten cases, consultations by specialists from a medical board made by the treating physician or specialist who has reviewed the patient desired. All fields combined, direct access is two times less frequent for patients with a designated physician. Direct access concerns 26% of their consultations against 58% of consultations with patients who have not declared their doctor to fund health insurance.
For specialties that lead to reduced rates of reimbursement by health insurance, dermatology or ENT for example, direct access will be almost four times less frequent for patients with a designated physician. These two specialties which were carried out mostly direct access in 2004 are those that have experienced the biggest change. Direct access has decreased by 33% among dermatologists and 58% for ENT doctors.
Since 1 January 2006, each insured must declare an attending physician at its fund Social Security and consult on the first appeal before a specialist, for a better reimbursement of care. This reform is not certain specialists such as gynecologists and ophthalmologists. A previous investigation by Irdes dated April 8 showed that five French had not chosen a physician.
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