Saxony's GP scholarship starts new application round

Medical students can once again apply for the Saxon GP scholarship from this Wednesday (October 1). The program supports young doctors with 1,000 euros per month and aims to secure GP care, particularly in rural areas, as announced by the Saxon Ministry of Health and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony (KV Sachsen).

This year, the first two graduates of the scholarship, which has been in existence since 2013, started work in Saxony. The scholarship is funded by the Saxon Ministry of Health and implemented by the KV Sachsen.

There are currently 169 students taking part, 62 of whom are already undergoing further training to become specialists in general medicine in Saxony, while two have successfully passed the specialist examination. After completing their studies and further training, the recipients undertake to work in a rural region of the Free State for at least six years - with the exception of Dresden, Radebeul, Leipzig and Markkleeberg.

Combating the shortage of doctors with sponsorship and practical experience

A key element is a sponsorship with a GP practice where the scholarship holders spend at least 24 days a year. The application deadline is 15 November, with ten places available this year.

"I am delighted that the first graduates of the program will now strengthen GP care in the regions and wish them every strength and all the best for the future," said Saxony's Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). She encouraged students to take an interest in general practice. "Because the experience of our GP scholarship shows that the practical days in particular are rated as very motivating by the students."

"Today, I can't imagine a more fulfilling profession"

The Chairman of the Board of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Stefan Windau, emphasized: "The success of our scholarship can be seen in a very concrete form with the first two graduates who started working in general practice in Saxony this year."

The general practitioner Anna Wegner from Zwickau reported that the scholarship had "significantly supported" her in her training. Today, she "couldn't imagine a more fulfilling profession".