Berlin. The current wave of infections has put a massive strain on doctors’ practices – and the flu season hasn’t even really started yet.
German general practitioners are warning of acute supply bottlenecks this autumn: Practices are being challenged early this year by the massive wave of infections, and the burden is already very high. Given the tense situation in practices, one must expect that “more and more practices will no longer be able to accept new patients who are not emergencies,” said the federal chairwoman of the Association of General Practitioners, Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth, to this editorial team. “This is always very stressful and of course only the last resort – but it is already a reality in many regions.” The trigger for the current one Wave of infections are pathogens of respiratory infections, such as rhinoviruses, but also the coronavirus. In addition, flu season is just around the corner.
The family doctors appealed to patients with increased blood pressure health risk, to get vaccinated in a timely manner: “Every serious case that can be avoided through vaccination is a blessing for the person affected, but also for those who care for the sick,” said the head of the association.
Buhlinger-Göpfarth complained that there are still many hurdles to vaccinations: The organizational effort surrounding corona vaccinations for the practices is still very high. Because there are currently no individual doses of the corona vaccines, six people who want to be vaccinated always have to be found for a joint appointment. Otherwise, the vaccine would have to be thrown away. “Spontaneous vaccinations, which are an important component in achieving the highest possible vaccination rate, are only possible to a limited extent.” The introduction of one is also necessary Double vaccine against flu and COVID-19. “That would provide enormous relief for our practices, but especially for our patients.”
