A statement from the Danish Psychologists’ Association shows that the average waiting time in January was 12.3 weeks. This is one of the longest the psychologists’ association has registered.
– The waiting time is not much different than it usually is, says Anders Kühnau.
– But it is clear that we have seen an increase in the number of people seeking help for anxiety and depression.
– Of course, we must provide treatment to those who need help. We can do the same with the economy that has been set aside and with the psychologists we have, he says.
It is especially an increase in the demand for psychological treatment during the corona crisis that has caused the waiting lists to grow.
From the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of last year, for example, there has been an increase of 36 percent when it comes to treating anxiety, the statement from the Danish Psychologists Association shows.
The survey includes citizens from 22 to 38 years of age who can receive a 60 percent subsidy from the public sector for psychological treatment.
Anders Kühnau believes that there is room within the public sector to take more people in from the waiting lists.
But that requires the affiliated psychologists to take fewer private patients.
“Unfortunately, we have far too many psychologists who spend a great deal of their time taking in private patients instead of focusing more on the patients who come in with help from health insurance,” says Anders Kühnau.
He is also ready to make demands on the psychologists.
– We’re already doing that. Therefore, we have some minimum limits within, for example, anxiety and depression.
– I am in favor of raising the minimum limits so that those associated with public health insurance treat a few more patients, says the chairman.
According to the Danish Psychologists’ Association, however, some other measures are needed to ensure faster psychological help.
Among other things, the association will create more external numbers. But Anders Kühnau does not think this is the right way to go.
– It does not make sense to have more extension numbers in some places where we already have extension numbers that do not provide much on public health insurance.
– It is better to ask them to provide more on public health insurance, he says.
Danish Regions and the Danish Psychologists’ Association will meet during the first quarter and discuss possible solutions.
Anders Kühnau hopes that the two parties can agree on a solution immediately after.
Source: The Nordic Page