The findings were published in the British Medical Journal Open following research by Cambridge University.
Portugal is ranked at number ten out of 67 countries for the longest duration of an appointment, and performed considerably better than the UK, where GPs spend fewer than ten minutes tending to patients.
That's may be if you can actually make an appointment to see one. The health care system, especially in the Algarve is one of the most flawed I have ever encountered. I have to attend my local clinic to make the appointment as the receptionist won't make appointments over the phone, no idea why, every time I've been there she appears to be doing little. it can only be between certain hours, she then makes the appointment, usually one or two weeks away, on the day of the appointment there is the possibility that the doctor won't be available because they may be required elsewhere, if this is the case I am required to start the process again, it's bizarre. Lack of doctors, lack of specialists, lack of medical equipment. Time spent with patients is irrelevant if the struggle to see a doctor is the issue.
By Nina from Algarve on 23 Nov 2017, 10:03
Longest
By Dendi sherpa from Lisbon on 23 Nov 2017, 16:25