The accumulation of administrative burdens from legislation and regulations has a major impact on the quality and continuity of primary care. This is evident from the 23 practical stories in the narrative research ‘Stop the stacking’ by the First Line Coalition. Minister Helder received the research report on October 18.
Disproportionate tax
Although everyone agrees that the administrative burden in healthcare must be reduced, in practice healthcare providers continue to be confronted with new legislation and regulations that increase the burden. The accumulation of these administrative burdens particularly affects small-scale primary care providers, such as general practitioners, pharmacists, dentists and midwives. Compared to large healthcare providers, such as hospitals, they spend a disproportionate amount of time, energy and money on accountability requirements and administration.
The administrative burdens have increased enormously over the years. I think I spend 30 percent of the time on administrative matters. Part of it is part of it, but there is also part that misses the mark.
midwife and midwifery practice manager
Consequences in practice
In the study, 23 healthcare providers talk about the concrete consequences they experience in practice of administrative obligations and accountability requirements. They talk about the time and energy it takes to understand complex regulations. About the costs it entails and the influence it has on their job satisfaction. And about their fear that the sharp increase in administrative burdens is preventing young healthcare providers from choosing the profession or starting their own practice.
The dentists who complete the training become self-employed or become employed because they know that as a practice owner they spend a large part of their time dealing with rules and hassle.
youth dentist and practice owner
Involve primary care providers
The First Line Coalition greatly appreciates that Minister Helder is willing to receive the first copy of the research report. The minister previously also showed himself to be receptive to voices from the field by pressing the pause button for the public annual accounts. The First Line Coalition hopes that these practical stories will provide even more insight into the complexity and costs that each new administrative action entails in practice.
Ellemieke Hin, KNMT board member who, together with Reinier Bax (KNMP board member) and Guus Jaspar (LHV board member), presented the report on behalf of the ELC: “We hope for a new public debate about accountability and practice ownership in primary care. By involving primary care providers more in relevant legislative processes, legislation can be achieved that is workable and appropriate in practice.”
Less paper, more time and job satisfaction
Minister Conny Helder of Long-term Care and Sport received the report with interest. “With the ‘(dis)regulate healthcare’ action plan, we, together with the professional field, remove a lot of administrative pressure from healthcare providers. This is important, because it ensures that there is more time to provide care and continue to enjoy work. But we’re not there yet. Regulatory pressure remains a many-headed monster that grows and grows. That is why last week’s follow-up advice from the Council for Public Health & Society is very welcome. The recommendations provide direction for faster and fundamental changes to the accountability system. So that you will soon only have to justify what is really necessary to provide good care. Less paper, more time and job satisfaction. I will be working on it together with all parties to the Integrated Care Agreement. “
About the research
For the study, 23 healthcare providers from primary care were interviewed: 7 general practitioners, 5 pharmacists, 2 dentists, 4 midwives and 5 independent practices (speech therapy, dietician, psychologist, etc.). The interviews asked about experiences with administrative obligations under both current legislation and new legislation.
About the First Line Coalition
The First Line Coalition (ELC) consists of nine primary care organizations: KNMP (pharmacists), KNMT (dentists), KNOV (midwives), LHV (GPs), LVVP (independent psychologists and psychotherapists), PPN (paramedics), NVM dental hygienists, NVvP (podotherapists). ) and ONT (dental prosthetists).