GPs are not allowed to refer a patient with a suspected COVID-19 for a free test. Such a patient has to take BGN 100 out of his pocket for a PCR test.
According to the chairman of the Sofia College of General Practitioners, Dr. Georgi Mindov, the reason for this is the lack of an algorithm in pre-hospital care. According to him, when the patient arrives at the hospital – everything is clear and there is the algorithm, but before that there is no clarity, and the distribution center for COVID patients is only for the most severe cases, which are almost on a stretcher. At the moment, primary care is neglected, you have to get to the hospital and everything is going there – there are teams, anesthesiologists, etc. The system currently operates at only 10%, he explained.
Dr. Mindov also commented that after the patient is examined, he will receive instructions on what to do, but he cannot be referred for a PCR test. The examination is not paid to the doctor, but to the system, but in any case it is out of the patient’s pocket. The jeep is of the opinion that it should be able to provide a referral for a PCR test.
An algorithm has been prepared, which is rather recommendations, but only of the National Association of General Practitioners in our country, said Dr. Mindov. According to him, the Ministry of Health should order the way of working with patients with coronavirus. According to him, the algorithm must be working and organize the whole system so that the patient is calm.
„As a patient who came to me with symptoms, you feel bad. At this point I have to tell you – do you have BGN 100? This is not ethical for the patient.“
„Patients can recognize COVID-19 if they feel something very unusual. Each of us has had the flu several times, but if you feel something atypical – shortness of breath, more tired, something that really worries you, it already indicates a possible coronavirus infection.”
Dr. Mindov believes that telephone consultations, which are recommended in case of suspicion of COVID-19, are not effective.
„I can’t look at a patient to see if there is COVID-19, and it’s completely impossible over the phone.“
According to the specialist, in 99% of cases people are self-healing and it should not be said that they have been cured. He called for the measures to be followed, because each of us does not know how well his immunity is developed.
