Community sisters: Rapship against a shortage of doctors in rural areas!

Community sisters: Rapship against a shortage of doctors in rural areas!

In rural areas of Germany, many people face the challenge of finding medical care nearby. This is particularly the case in villages where often no family doctor practices. The municipal sisters or community Health is presenting a promising solution that offer unbureaucratic and low -threshold support. The ndr reports by Regina Götzlehner, a parish sister in Siedenbollenin in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. She organizes a consulting room in the parish hall once a month to assist the villagers. Here these important health questions can be clarified without long waiting times.

An indispensable part of your work is the provision of blood sugar and blood pressure measuring devices as well as materials for initial care. Even if the sisters of the community are not allowed to perform therapeutic or diagnostic activities, they act as important contacts and mediate patients to doctors or other health players. The realization that there is often a lack of doctors and psychologists in rural regions shows how valuable their role can be. Many of the villagers are lonely and simply appreciate the contact and the open ear.

An advanced view of this problem shows the new initiative in Berlin-Neukölln, as described by the rbbb24 . Here the Moro Association offers support for a large number of seniors. Many of these older people feel left alone during visits to the doctor and receive support from the association's helpers. In view of the close link between social and health services, the Federal Government would like to revitalize the job description of the community sister in order to meet the specific requirements in health care.

The shortage of doctors is not only a problem in small cities, but also affects metropolitan areas. A course for community health nursing was launched at the Philosophical-Theological University of Vallendar to develop solutions. According to the Rhein-Zeitung , the new community health is only to take on medical tasks in chronic patients. So far, there is a lack of legal regulations to firmly establish this profession, but the potential to revolutionize health care is great.

The positive response to the work of community sisters is also shown in the city of Siedenbollentin, where Regina Göldetzlehner is lovingly called "sister Inge" by the villagers. She has supported over 2,500 people since the project launch and is strengthened by the pastor Sonja Reincke in her vision. Many villagers see regular visits to the community sister as a real gain for their community.

German society faces decisive challenges. In the case of urban and rural care, there is a large hole that can only be closed by innovative concepts such as that of the sisters of the community. Health offers need a good hand and, above all, close connections to the local people. The hope that this concept will go through nationwide remains and could serve as a model to better network and improve health services.