Facilities, nurses, doctors: Italians' report card on public healthcare

Finally, the look into the future is also of concern: the continuing perceived health emergency leads 42% of Italians to expect a deterioration in the quality of health services in the next two to three years. Negative expectations, on the other hand, stop at 32% in Spain, 27% in the United Kingdom, 23% in Germany and 17% in France.

For the services they used in 2025, Italians say they went toa public emergency room in 89% of cases, but only in 45% of cases to the national health service for specialist visits or diagnostic examinations. Private or contracted healthcare is more 'frequented' than in Italia only in France, where only 38% chose a public facility for specialist visits and 43% for diagnostic examinations.

The point on which every European comparison seems to collapse comeson waiting times: 33% of Italians have had to wait more than three months for a diagnostic examination, compared to 18% of Spaniards, 14% of English, 12% of French and 11% of Germans; and in addition, 27% have waited more than a three months for a specialist visit, a percentage that rises to 29% in Spain but remains below 20% in France, Germany and the UK. Adding together those who select a wait of between two and three months and those who say they have waited more than three months for a specialist visit, the Italians seem to be unrivalled: 49% in Spain against 69% in Italia (in our country only 13% have been visited within a week).

It is precisely in relation to waiting times that Italians' experience is markedly more negative than in other countries, with a negative peak in the judgements expressed on diagnostic services (for 72%) and hospitalisation (for 69%).

In Italia, excessive waiting times translate into refusal of specialist visits in 28% of cases, an alarming and unique percentage in the international context that highlights the crisis of our national health system. This figure drops to 22% in Germany, 17% in France, 14% in Spain and 8% in the United Kingdom. Cancellation due to waiting lists also affects 21% of diagnostic examinations in Italia and, in this case, in none of the other countries does the percentage of those who postpone their appointment ever exceed 20%.

The lukewarm confidence of the Italians is also intercepted by another piece of data, when they are asked whether in the event of the serious illness of a family member or friend they would suggest going to a facility located in the place where they reside: this advice would come from 51% of Italians, but 29 would suggest relocation; 11% would advise going private. On the other hand, 77% of the English, 76% of the Spanish, 61% of the French and Germans would turn to healthcare close to home.

At issue is the entire organisational model, down to proximity medicine in the territory. The judgement on the professionalism of the GP remains positive for 76% of Italians, but rewards Spanish (88%), French (92%), German (89) and English (88) professionals more. On the availability of thefamily doctor, however, the Italians' positive opinion plummets to 43% and on home visits to 21%. In all other countries surveyed, however, satisfaction is higher.

On a positive note, 69% of Italians have been invited to undergo free tests and diagnostics by the public health system for cancer or other diseases. Screening and prevention are thus more widespread than in Spain (63%), Germany and the United Kingdom (both with 58%). Lastly, the role ofpharmacies is also consolidated, where 24% of Italians say they have booked check-ups, 14% have had an electrocardiogram and 12% a Holter test, all figures in line with results in other countries.