Diagnosis of doctor shortage: Saxony wants to ensure supply

Saxony is facing a difficult operation when it comes to future healthcare provision. "People are getting older and at the same time have different demands on medical care," explained Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). In some places, people would not be able to get an appointment with a doctor in a timely manner despite a care rate of over 100 percent. Ensuring medical care remains an ongoing task.

Report updated until 2035

The Ministry of Social Affairs, which is also responsible for health, had an expert report on the development of outpatient care and doctor demand in Saxony updated until 2035. The Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Germany (Zi) took a close look at 180 indicators, including the age structure of doctors, case numbers and the distance to the nearest practice. This should enable needs to be assessed at an early stage.

Focus is primarily on rural areas

Creating good framework conditions is particularly important in rural regions, emphasized Köpping. These include working conditions that enable young doctors to start their careers and support them in their specialist training. "Being a doctor is a great, fulfilling profession. Our message is that those interested should receive the best possible support so that they can enter the profession."

More study places, mentoring programs and telemedicine

The experts recommend, among other things, an expansion of medical study places and programs to tie general practitioners to a specific region, for example. Further training is seen as a decisive factor in attracting young doctors to take over a practice, for example. Telemedicine and mobile services could also help to close gaps in care in rural areas, according to the report.

Less bureaucracy and more time for patients

The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) referred, among other things, to the new concept of "care practices" with video consultations. There is still a need for action to make outpatient work more attractive for doctors and existing practices, emphasized KV Vice President Sylvia Krug and also called for a reduction in bureaucracy in order to have more time for patients and the use of modern technology to relieve the burden on practices.

Doctors' resources are becoming increasingly scarce

"The diagnosis is well known: Medical resources are becoming increasingly scarce," emphasized Zi CEO Dominik von Stillfried. As capacities decrease, care must be adapted to meet increasing demand. "What we need for this are targeted measures to ensure high-quality patient care close to home in the future."