Today is "a time of mourning," but a time of "answers" must come. Answers to resolve the problem of a workload that has become "unsustainable."

The Italian Doctors' Union (SMI) of Sardinia expresses "pain and dismay" over the tragic passing of Riccardo Ferrarelli, a 38-year-old general practitioner from Nuoro . "This is the second general practitioner we've lost in just a few months," the SMI recalls, referring to Maddalena Carta , also 38, who had neglected an illness to continue treating patients in Dorgali, the town where she worked.

"Two young professionals, two lives shattered, two colleagues who every day dedicated themselves to the demanding task of caring for a large portion of the community. Once again, our first thoughts go to their family and friends. This is a time of mourning, silence, and condolences," reads the statement from the Sardinian SMI.

An episode that "provokes reflection on the conditions in which general practitioners work today, considering that the workload may have contributed to compromising their physical and mental health ." Workloads for general practitioners have become "unsustainable," with "growing care burdens, staff shortages, oppressive bureaucracy, ever-expanding responsibilities, and a chronic lack of organizational support."

For this reason, once the time of mourning is over, the time for "answers" must come. Also "about the organizational consequences and the lack of care that this loss entails." Riccardo Ferrarelli managed 1,800 patients .

(Unioneonline)

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