First Insights from the General Practitioner Office: Three Months of Integrated care in Practice
It has been three months since the HUB of Integrated Health and Social care opened in Košice. During this time, the center’s services have gradually taken off, and new clients have started visiting the center regularly. The first data from the GP´ s Office offer not only an overview of the numbers but also valuable insights into the needs of the people the center serves.
Over the past three months, 52 patients visited the clinic, accounting for a total of 184 visits. These were not one-time appointments, but repeated visits by people returning with ongoing health concerns and a need for continuous care.
The average consultation lasts 50 minutes, providing enough time for medical examination, conversation, trust-building, and connecting health and social support.
Who visits the clinic most often?
The HUB serves a diverse range of clients, though men are more frequent visitors (58.8%) than women. The average age of patients is 45, with the largest group aged 49 to 58.
These are primarily adults in their middle and later working years, often facing a combination of health issues that developed or worsened over time without consistent treatment. The data confirm what fieldwork has long shown: neglected healthcare does not arise suddenly, but gradually.
As the first experiences from the GP’s office at the HUB of Integrated Health and Social services show, accessible healthcare is crucial for people in difficult life situations. It is not just about numbers, percentages, or averages. A closer look at the data, however, reveals what healthcare can look like when it’s truly accessible and connected with other forms of support.
The first three months of the HUB’s operation suggest that an integrated approach has the potential to respond to clients’ real needs and create conditions for more long-term and sustainable care.
