**High Satisfaction with Personal Doctors Under Gesy, Survey Finds**
A recent nationwide survey conducted by the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations (Osak) has revealed a generally high level of satisfaction and trust among patients regarding their personal doctors within the General Healthcare System (Gesy). The survey, which gathered responses from 1,337 beneficiaries across all districts, was presented during a press conference on Wednesday.
The survey aimed to evaluate the quality of services provided by personal doctors under the Gesy framework. According to the findings, an impressive 93% of respondents reported being registered with the same personal doctor for over a year, and 75% had maintained the same doctor for more than two years. However, 35% of participants indicated that they had changed their personal doctor at least once since joining Gesy.
The primary reasons for changing doctors included difficulties in communication, cited by 25% of respondents, dissatisfaction with the doctor’s behavior (20%), and inadequate assistance during emergencies (12%). These factors highlight areas where improvements could enhance patient experiences.
The survey also indicated a significant engagement with Gesy’s digital portal, with 79% of participants stating they had access to their personal medical profile. Communication with personal doctors was rated positively, with 78% describing it as “very easy” or “fairly easy.” In terms of appointment scheduling, 53% of respondents were able to secure an appointment on the same day or the following day, and 87% found the waiting period for appointments to be appropriate.
Overall satisfaction with the service remained high, with 96% of respondents stating their needs were met during their most recent appointment. Additionally, 66% expressed that they would not wish to change anything about the way they are served.
The survey also explored the realm of preventive care, revealing that 62% of respondents had received advice on screening tests, while 58% reported receiving guidance on vaccinations. However, a notable 32% indicated that they had not received any preventive health advice from their personal doctor, suggesting a gap in this critical area of healthcare.
In light of these findings, Osak has proposed a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing the personal doctor system within Gesy. These recommendations emphasize the importance of improving communication with beneficiaries, increasing the use of digital tools, and promoting preventive medicine.
Among the proposals put forward by Osak are the introduction of a binding response protocol for personal doctors and the encouragement of alternative communication channels, such as secretarial support and digital messaging. The federation also called for further upgrades to the Gesy electronic portal to facilitate better communication between doctors and patients.
Additionally, Osak recommended strengthening incentives for personal doctors to engage in preventive healthcare measures, including vaccinations and screening programs. The federation suggested organizing training programs to improve communication skills among healthcare providers.
Osak emphasized that enhancing primary healthcare services could alleviate pressure on accident and emergency departments, reinforcing the critical role of personal doctors within the healthcare system. The federation described the institution of the personal doctor as the “cornerstone” of Gesy, underscoring the need for continuous improvement in communication, accessibility, and preventive care to further develop primary healthcare services in Cyprus.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the insights from this survey may serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and healthcare providers aiming to enhance patient satisfaction and improve the overall effectiveness of the Gesy system.