Canillo's Pioneer GP Dr. Joan Carles Vidal Works Part-Time Post-Retirement

Dr. Joan Carles Vidal, Canillo's first general practitioner since 1989, continues part-time work after retirement, observing steady growth in patient volume and healthcare infrastructure amid shifts toward scheduled visits and digital systems.

Vidal took up the role when few doctors were willing to serve the parish, given Andorra's liberal healthcare model and its modest population. The government issued a targeted call open to candidates without liberal permits, prompting his application. "No doctor wanted to come up to Canillo because the system is purely liberal and, with so few people, the numbers don't add up," he told the Andorran News Agency.

Now limiting his schedule to two mornings and one afternoon weekly, Vidal notes the workload's relentless rise. "Work kept growing and growing, to the point where one doctor couldn't deliver proper service," he said. This trend led to a new health centre built for anticipated demand. "We're comfortable now, but I expect we'll feel short soon with the ongoing expansion," he added.

Work practices have changed dramatically. Early years lacked computers, appointments, or heavy paperwork for referrals. "There was no IT, and you didn't spend so much time on paperwork, referrals, and procedures—it was much faster," Vidal recalled. Yet waiting rooms often resembled "a disco." Scheduled slots now bring order. "People arrive on schedule; it's calmer and more pleasant. I always aim for no waits," he said.

His duties once included home visits across Soldeu, El Tarter, and beyond. Today, he limits those to elderly patients he's long treated, deferring others. Over time, facilities evolved from a provisional office at the comú, to Cal Metge, the initial health centre, and the current one.

With no set retirement horizon, Vidal plans to carry on while able. "I'm doing very little now—just two mornings and one afternoon—which keeps me at peace," he said.