Shortage of family doctors in MV: 80 positions unfilled – AfD calls for measures!

Shortage of family doctors in MV: 80 positions unfilled – AfD calls for measures!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there is a sense of alarm in the health sector: around 80.5 family doctor positions remain unfilled, while only 1,145.10 positions are occupied. This worrying situation was published in a response from the state government to a request from the AfD parliamentary group, which refers to the status of June 18th. In December of the previous year there were still 70 unfilled positions, which indicates a continuous decline in the number of medical staff due to demographic change and a lack of young talent. n-tv reports that ...

But how does this critical situation come about? A look at the age structure of practicing doctors is revealing: almost a third of the approximately 1,200 general practitioners in the country are 60 years or older. This means that in the near future many of them will retire. According to a study by the Robert Bosch Foundation, Germany will be faced with a shortage of around 11,000 general practitioners by 2035, with rural regions such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania particularly affected. These developments mean that over half of the planning areas in primary care are at risk of undercare. [nordkurier adds that...](https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/mecklenburg-vorpommern/mindestens-80-hausaerzte- Fehlen-so-will-mv-mediziner-aufs-land-locken-3381544)

Measures to recruit general practitioners

The state government has already taken steps to address this challenge. Since March 2021, there has been a so-called rural doctor quota, which makes it easier for applicants to access medical study places in Rostock or Greifswald. Those interested must commit to working as a family doctor in underserved rural regions for ten years after completing their specialist training. However, if they do not comply with the agreement, they face a fine of 250,000 euros. The 32 available places per academic year are in demand because the number of applicants significantly exceeds the places. n-tv reports that ...

Efforts to attract more medical professionals to the country are urgently needed, especially as coverage levels are at 110 percent - a point at which residency is possible. However, the planned “mandatory primary care system”, which requires general practitioners and pediatricians to refer patients to specialists, is causing controversy. The health policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group, Thomas de Jesus Fernandes, fears that this could be dangerous for patients. Instead, the AfD calls for the attractiveness of the medical profession to be increased in order to reduce long waiting times and ensure free choice of doctor. [nordkurier reminds that ...](https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/mecklenburg-vorpommern/mindestens-80-hausaerzte- Fehlen-so-will-mv-mediziner-aufs-land-locken-3381544)

The future of medical care

Looking ahead, the question arises: How will medical care change in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania? By 2035, the number of family doctors in some districts could be reduced by up to 50 percent. The situation will be particularly critical in the districts of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, where almost 40 percent of the areas could be affected by undersupply. These risks call for solutions, such as the establishment of regional health centers that could provide multi-professional teams and thereby enable needs-based treatment. [Robert Bosch Stiftung emphasizes that...]

The development in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reflects a trend that exists not only locally, but also nationwide. The problems addressed here could serve as harbingers for other regions of Germany facing similar challenges. Time is of the essence and it is up to decision-makers to take immediate action to maintain basic health care in the country.