Italy healthcare faces ethical discussions and surgical workforce shortages

Healthcare professionals in Italy are addressing critical challenges regarding ethics and workforce sustainability. In Cuneo, an event organized by the Order of Health Technicians focused on the theme of 'Ethics and humanity in care: the person at the center.' Speakers including Don Luigi Ciotti, Sauro Forni from Emergency, and Massimiliano Caramazza discussed the importance of placing human dignity and fragility at the core of medical practice.

Simultaneously, concerns are rising regarding a severe shortage of hospital surgeons. Gianluca Giuliano, national secretary of UGL Salute, warned during the 128th Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery that the profession is losing its appeal among young doctors. He noted that over half of hospital surgeons are nearing retirement and many specialization grants remain unused. Cited causes for this trend include exhausting shifts, low salaries compared to European standards, poor work-life balance, and the burden of medico-legal litigation.