59% of young doctors want to leave Greece, 56% of citizens are dissatisfied with medical care in the context of the collapse of the system

Six out of 10 doctors want to leave Greece, and exactly 6 out of 10 citizens say they are dissatisfied with the state health care system, which has deteriorated over the past two to four years, two recent surveys in northern Greece have found.

National Health System (ESY) is getting worse every day, while Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis denies the rapid decline in health care, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis repeatedly talks about improving health care.

At the same time, patients are waiting for 6-8 hours for an ambulance, since there are 8,500 vacancies for doctors in hospitals, medical centers and emergency departments, representatives of doctors from the National Health System told Mega TV.

Every year, four million patients seek emergency care

A patient in need of surgery, can wait for her up to two yearsif it is a life-saving emergency operation. Otherwise, he pays a few hundred euros extra to solve the health problem with the help of so-called “daytime operations“.

Citizens' survey

Six out of ten citizens said they were dissatisfied with the services provided by ESY, and every second said they had worsened over the past two to three years, according to a survey conducted by the company from July 5 to 12, 2024. To The Point commissioned by the Medical Association of Thessaloniki, in which 1,102 people took part:

• 56.7% of participants said they were dissatisfied with the ESY services offered in the country, compared to 26.7% who were satisfied.
• Among those dissatisfied, the proportion of women is 54.5%, and men – 48.7%, with the highest percentage of dissatisfied (56.4%) falling in the 25-35 age group.
• 48.7% of respondents expressed the opinion that the quality of medical services provided has worsened over the past 2-3 years, while 26.3% said it had improved.

To receive medical assistance, citizens contact:

• 66.1% said they primarily attend private practices
• 35.7% – to hospitals
• 20.2% – doctors working under contract with the national insurance company EOPYY
• 8.2% health centers, PEDY clinics
• 6.4% private clinics.

82.8% of respondents said they visit the same doctor regularly. 27.7% visit the doctor for any reason, 27.7% – regularly for check-ups, 22.6% – only for serious health problems, 12.6% – for special tests, 5.1% – for treatment/monitoring of an ongoing health problem. 62.8% said they find a private doctor through friends, 18.7% – on the recommendation of other doctors and 15.5% – online.

72.1% believe that the cost of medical services has increased over the past two to three years, while 22.5% say that it has remained the same. It should be noted that social security contributions, including medical care and pensions, are mandatory in Greece.
43.8% believe that NHS collaboration with private healthcare agencies will improve health services, while 20.1% say it will make them worse.

Regarding the latest regulations of the Ministry of Health on paid operations in the afternoon, 50% expressed a negative opinion, while 30.8% expressed a positive opinion.

59% of young doctors want to leave Greece

The Medical Association of Thessaloniki also presented the results of another survey conducted among young doctors working in the public hospitals of ESY. Realizing the importance of the problems that trainees and young doctors face today, a questionnaire was created to record their concerns in order to generate proposals and actions for their improvement. The survey was conducted among 320 doctors working mainly in the hospitals of the 3rd and 4th health districts of Thessaloniki.

59% of young doctors intend to continue their medical practice outside Greece. According to the survey results, participants expressed “disappointment” for the following reasons:

• 51.3% expressed dissatisfaction with the educational process;
• 55.6% are dissatisfied with access to educational materials and literature.
• 60% stated that there are not equal educational opportunities depending on the length of time spent in residency.

Regarding violence in the workplace:

• 76% of participants said they had experienced physical or verbal violence from a healthcare professional or patient, with the percentage being higher among women.
• 62.2% were bullied in the workplace by colleagues, with 50% of cases involving a healthcare professional.
• 33.8% believe that the new law on imprisonment in cases of violence against nurses increases the sense of safety in the working environment.

Regarding working hours, burnout syndrome and material rewards:

• 70% of young doctors said they suffer from burnout syndrome.
• 86% find the work environment burdensome
• 55% expressed disappointment with the infrastructure provided in hospitals.

Regarding the infrastructure of buildings and services provided by the Ministry of Health, 55% expressed disappointment in the hospital staff on duty, 57% in the food, 61% in the structure of the hospital building.

In other health news, the Health Ministry raised prices on about 800 drugs in August, saying “low prices force the pharmaceutical industry to export their drugs, causing them to 'disappear' in the country”. Price increase from 1% to 400% affects even chronically ill patients.

Let us recall that, as of January 1, the Ministry of Health also reduced the frequency of laboratory tests and screenings, as a result of which patients are forced to pay for them out of pocket.

The neoliberal government basically limits modernization of the health sector to painting walls and corridors. Without money to hire staff, there is no modernization. Only constant deterioration.

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