„În loc să înceapă cu medicul de familie, vin aici”. 5 milioane de români ajung, în fiecare an, în Unitatea de Primiri Urgențe a unui spital, fără ca toți să aibă o urgență majoră / Ce probleme apar

In Romania, around 5 million people visit emergency units annually, often for non-critical issues. This trend strains healthcare resources, as many patients lack access to family doctors or specialists. The pressure on emergency staff is significant, with doctors managing 40-50 patients in a 24-hour shift. The situation reflects a broader European challenge of balancing emergency care with patient needs. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include long wait times for family doctor appointments and specialist referrals, leading patients to seek immediate care in emergency units instead. The increasing number of minor cases is concerning, as it diverts attention from critical emergencies.