The Ministry of Health made changes to the clinical protocols that regulate the medical services provided by family doctors and extended the list of diseases that can be diagnosed by the family doctor, IPN reports.
Deputy minister Liliana Iasan gave as example the women suspected of having oncological diseases. Currently, these are referred to an oncologist. From now on, they will go to see a specialist only when the diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasonography, mammography. “We are shortening the waiting lists at medical specialists who are overloaded,” stated Liliana Iasan.
The deputy minister of health considers it is inadmissible when almost 10 million people visit the family doctor and as many medical specialists. “The World Health Organization recommends that 80% of the patients should be diagnosed and treated by the family doctor, while 20% should be directed to a medical specialist,” added Liliana Iasan.
Gennady Kuroshkin, head of the Family Medicine Department of the University of Medicine “Nicolae Testemitanu”, said there is no need to refer a person to a medical specialist for this to only authorize particular examinations.
“The move is aimed at easing the burden on medical specialists and at reducing the number of patients who wait for referral near the door. At the same time, the specialists will allot more time for the treatment of serious patients, which is what they should actually do,” stated Gennady Kuroshkin.
The Ministry of Health assessed 122 clinical protocols, 94 of which were improved.
