Not enough time for patients, inequalities in care, excessively long delays, bed closures, difficult access to emergency services… The assessment drawn up by nurses in our healthcare system is rather negative. Explanations.
- 61% of nurses are not satisfied with the balance between their professional and personal life.
- 68% of respondents say they are dissatisfied with the cooperation between healthcare professionals in their area of practice.
93% of nurses are worried – including 43% very worried – about the healthcare situation in France, according to the results of a consultation carried out between May 13 and 30, 2022, with 41,024 nurses. These should answer a whole set of questions aimed at assessing the state of the health system. The National Order of Nurses, at the origin of the survey, then collected all these data to synthesize them…. And the results are sometimes harsh.
Lots of bed and service closures
A majority of nurses paint a sad picture of the current healthcare system: waiting times deemed too long to obtain medical appointments by 96% of nurses, for 79%, there are many closures of beds and services and 75% find access to emergency services difficult. Finally, 68% of respondents consider that there is no equal access to care in their area of practice.
No equal access to care
“In the territories, a system of access to care that is a source of concern and inequality for nurses and patients alike”, can we read in the press release from the National Order of Nurses. The latter were not directly questioned during this consultation. Their feelings were reported by the nurses. Thus, for 77% of the healthcare professionals surveyed, “difficulty accessing a healthcare establishment and healthcare professionals” was the primary concern of their patients. Then came the lack of explanation of the care pathways for 55% and the apprehension of dependency for oneself or for loved ones for 52%.
Lack of recognition weighs on nurses
Another problem of the profession: the lack of recognition. 65% of nurses believe that their skills and their role with patients are not recognized. “While France is facing a shortage of nurses, they are perceived as essential local health actors, but in lack of recognition and with difficult working conditions”, explains the press release.
Not enough time for each patient
However, a large majority of them (97%) think they are essential players in home support, which is accompanied by a certain pride for 82% of them. Still, the working conditions of this health profession are perceived as difficult. 71% of respondents believe that they cannot devote enough time to each of their patients.
Proposals to improve the health system
But the primary objective of this consultation led by the National Order of Nurses is not simply to denounce. It also aims to propose solutions to improve the health system, such as the adaptation of the decree which governs nursing skills to adapt it to the reality of their practice today, the recognition of the nurse’s relational care, their entrusting more responsibilities in terms of prevention and therapeutic education, developing nursing consultation, etc. So many proposals which, they hope, will be heard by the new Ministry of Health and the government.
