Saxony on course in search for rural doctors

Diagnosis of doctor shortage: Saxony believes it is on the right track in the search for doctors for rural areas. Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) presented an interim report on the 2022 junior doctor program at the cabinet meeting. "What we know so far is successful," the minister concluded. Saxony is now also planning a quota for dentists in rural areas.

The law on the rural doctor quota provides for up to 40 percent or 6.5 percent of medical study places to be awarded to applicants who will later work as doctors in rural areas. No numerus clausus applies to them. However, they must commit to working for at least ten years in a region where there is a need. Otherwise, they have to pay back 250,000 euros.

Number of applicants for rural doctor program steadily increasing

According to Köpping, the number of applicants has steadily increased - from 67 in 2022 to 130 last year. The average age is now 21, and two thirds of applicants are female. There have been very few drop-outs so far. Köpping admitted that the evaluation of the program has not yet been able to show an "impact analysis". This is because the graduates will not be ready to work until 2033/2034 after completing their studies and specialist training.

"The shortage of doctors is not a problem specific to Saxony, but a nationwide challenge that we are facing together with our partners such as the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony," emphasized Köpping.

Undersupply already exists in five regions

At the same time, the Minister referred to existing and impending deficits in healthcare provision. There is currently a shortage of care in five of a total of 48 planning areas - in Werdau, Reichenbach, Stollberg, Torgau and Riesa. In 30 areas, there is a risk of underprovision. According to the definition, this is the case if the target values in an area are undercut by more than 25 percent (GPs) or 50 percent (specialists).

According to Köpping, there are currently around 2,600 GPs in Saxony with 371 unfilled GP positions in rural areas. There are also shortages of specialists, for example in pediatrics and adolescent medicine, dermatology and neurology. Since 1991, the number of doctors in Saxony has risen from 12,124 to 19,693. Nevertheless, there are many reasons why this is not enough, including retirements, increasing part-time rates and a growing number of older patients with multiple morbidities.