81 percent of Plus readers fear for their health if their regular GP is no longer there. This is apparent from 1900 responses to the statement on PlusOnline. Many people don’t mind getting a different GP from time to time, as long as the regular GP stays there too.
Having your own GP is seen as a great asset. This is apparent from the many responses to the statement ‘No more having your own GP? I fear for my health!’. More than four out of five readers agree with this statement. Reader Irma Tilon even experienced it firsthand: ‘I had a fever of 38.5 degrees, which is high for me. An acting doctor did not send me on, so that I had to stay in hospital for six weeks and almost died. I’m afraid that not having a regular general practitioner (practice) will increase this kind of misjudgment alarmingly.’
Shared GP
But if we’re honest: your own GP who knows your whole family well, and who is available day and night? That image no longer corresponds to daily practice. GPs often work in large health centers and alternate. That has consequences. Reader Kitty Mosman writes: ‘Had several GPs recently. A visit takes more time, because previous ailments have to be reviewed. As a result, some things are sometimes overlooked.’ But there are also readers who find it no problem to be helped by different general practitioners or practice nurses.
Not a doctor at all
In some regions, the private GP has really been abolished. For example, in sparsely populated areas where no permanent GP can be found, a substitute GP works a few half days a week. It is partly accessible via the screen. But the problem does not only affect Zeeland and the northern part of Noord-Holland, as Diny Schoon’s reaction shows: ‘We also do not have our own regular GP. Our GP had to close his practice last November due to illness. We were always so happy with him. We do not live in the countryside, but in the Gooi. Already registered with several GPs, but nobody wants/can’t have us there. We are 79 and 81 years old, have never experienced this before.’
Read more about the general practitioner shortage here: https://www.plusonline.nl/gezondheid-en-medicijnen/stelling-geen-eigen-huisarts-meer-ik-vrees-voor-mijn-health
