The Italian health system is experiencing a serious shortage of general practitioners, with over 5,500 vacant posiotion and increasing difficulty for individuals in getting a general practitioner, particularly in the most populous regions. According to a Gimbe Foundation analysis, the problem is expected to worsen: 7,300 doctors will retire by 2027, while the number of young people pursuing this career path is dropping. In 2024, 15% of family doctor scholarships remained unfilled, with peaks of more than 40% in six locations. The aging of the population complicates the picture: in 40 years, the number of people over the age of 80 has tripled, and more than half suffer from two or more chronic diseases, increasing demand for primary care in an environment of staff shortages.