The sole purpose of the digital appointment scheduling platform developed by IDIKA (Electronic Governance of Social Security) is to make it easier and faster for citizens to find a doctor. The platform will become mandatory starting February 1.

Responding to reactions from doctors in recent weeks, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis clarified that the new system is patient-centered. Currently, around 1,300 doctors from Health Centers are registered on the platform finddoctors.gr. Furthermore, if a citizen registered with a personal doctor logs in using their Social Security Number (AMKA), the platform will automatically display their personal doctor and the option to schedule an appointment.

Efforts are currently underway to integrate approximately 3,300 private doctors contracted with EOPYY (National Organization for Healthcare Services). The ability to book appointments by phone will not be discontinued. The difference, starting February 1, is that doctors will be required to digitally register appointments, even those scheduled by phone. This is because they will only be compensated for appointments recorded on the platform.

At the same time, starting as early as next month, a four-digit phone number is expected to be launched for scheduling appointments at primary healthcare facilities or with private doctors contracted with EOPYY. This way, citizens will have both the platform and the phone number available. Additionally, private doctors can also register on the platform to further simplify the process of finding medical appointments for citizens. Later on, afternoon appointments at hospitals will also be integrated into the same platform.