Erosion of the “Medical Act”? Doctors Voice Concerns

A recently approved healthcare bill in the Italian Senate is generating significant controversy. The bill, now awaiting review by the Chamber, has undergone a subtle but possibly impactful change. The original text explicitly stated that diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy were the exclusive domain of doctors. However,this qualifier has been removed in the latest version. The revised text now indicates that doctors are responsible for diagnosis and therapy specific to clinical situations.

This alteration has raised concerns among medical professionals, who fear it could blur the lines of obligation and potentially compromise patient safety. Guido Quici, president of the Cimo-Festa Federation, a union representing several medical organizations, expressed his apprehension in a statement. He highlighted that Senator Elena murelli, a league group leader in the Social Affairs Commission, introduced the amendment, accompanied by a press release signaling a desire to extend the medical act to all health professionals.

“The amendment that modified the text…was also accompanied by a bombastic press release with which the willingness to ‘extend the medical act to all health professionals’,”
Guido Quici, president of the Cimo-Festa Federation

Quici firmly stated that the medical act does not touch, emphasizing the distinct training and responsibilities of doctors compared to other healthcare workers.

Diverging Roles and Responsibilities: A Call for Clarity

The core of the debate revolves around the distinct roles and responsibilities of doctors versus other healthcare professionals. While acknowledging the vital contributions of all healthcare workers, medical leaders argue that the extensive and specialized training of doctors equips them uniquely for diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.Uniforming thes professions, they contend, could lead to confusion and potentially jeopardize patient well-being.

“Far from us…not to recognise the skills and importance of health professionals, who play an essential role for the assistance of patients and the correct functioning of the national health service. But if the training courses of doctors and other health professionals are so different, it is because the role and responsibility of each are clearly different, and it is not possible to uniform them by law,”
Guido Quici, president of the Cimo-Festa Federation

This concern echoes broader anxieties within the medical community about maintaining standards of care and ensuring accountability in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. According to a 2024 report by the Italian National Institute of Health, diagnostic errors contribute to a significant percentage of adverse patient outcomes, underscoring the importance of specialized expertise in this area.

Staffing Shortages and Option Solutions: A Contentious Approach

Beyond the debate over professional roles, the healthcare bill also addresses the ongoing issue of staffing shortages within the Italian healthcare system. Critics argue that the proposed solutions, such as increased reliance on temporary contracts and outsourcing to outpatient specialists, fall short of addressing the root causes of the problem.

Quici further notes that the bill seems to prioritize cost-cutting measures over long-term investment in personnel.While aiming to counteract the phenomenon of throwers, the bill proposes coordinated and continuous collaboration contracts and the possibility of using outpatient specialists to reduce waiting lists, paying them 100 euros per hour. There is no mention of permanent competitions or stable hiring, which is what young people really and rightly expect and that allows you to break down the waiting lists.

The reliance on temporary solutions,such as paying specialists €100 per hour to address waiting lists,has drawn criticism for being a short-sighted approach. Critics argue that this strategy fails to provide the stability and continuity of care that permanent staff can offer. Furthermore, it raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system and its ability to attract and retain qualified professionals.

The Future of Italian Healthcare: Uncertainty Looms

The proposed changes to the healthcare bill have ignited a passionate debate about the future of Italian healthcare. As the bill moves to the Chamber for further consideration, stakeholders on all sides are closely watching the developments. The outcome will likely have a significant impact on the roles of healthcare professionals, the quality of patient care, and the overall structure of the Italian healthcare system.