Now the doctors speak: More language tests in Saxony-Anhalt!

Now the doctors speak: More language tests in Saxony-Anhalt!

In Saxony-Anhalt there is a noticeable lack of doctors, and foreign doctors are increasingly moving into the spotlight to counteract this bottleneck. As early as 2023, 315 technical language tests of foreign doctors completed the medical association. This is a significantly increasing trend compared to 2022, when 307 exams took place. Since 2015, those who want to practice in Saxony-Anhalt have had to make a German language test to ensure that they have the necessary language skills in order to be able to communicate with the patients. According to [n-tv] (https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/sachsen-anhalt/Mehr-spruchpruefungen-fuer-ausla-ausla-medical article25850670.html), the test, which contains various conversations and documentation, tries to avoid communication problems in medical practice.

in 2022 289 out of 307 test subjects successfully passed the exam. The most common countries of origin of the test subjects are Azerbaijan, Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Turkey. If you look at the general development of foreign doctors, there are now around 1,900 that work in Saxony-Anhalt, which is an increase compared to 1,670 in 2022.

strict requirements for approval

Probably everyone who wants to work as a doctor in Germany must not only have medical knowledge, but also master the German language. From January 1, 2015, knowledge of the German language will be prescribed by law in the practice of professional practice. The doctors have shown that the doctors have to present a certificate at level GER-B2 and additional specialist language skills at level C1. These language tests are taken from the Saxony-Anhalt Medical Association, which carries out the exams at the Martin Luther University Halle. Information on this is available at the [Medical Association] (https://www.aeksa.de/www/website/publicnav.

The test is made up of several parts. The requirements include a doctor-patient discussion as well as the processing of medical documents and certificates. Aids such as medical reference works are not permitted in order not to support the test subjects unilaterally.

Doctor deficiency throughout the federal territory

This local trend is not isolated. According to [Deutschlandfunk] (https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/aerztemangel-Deutschland-migration-buerocracy 100.html), over 64,000 doctors are now active in Germany, which has doubled in the past ten years. This happens against the background of a growing shortage of doctors. Experts estimate that between 30,000 and 50,000 doctors will be missing by 2040. In particular, the number of doctors who have no German citizenship has achieved a maximum.

It is important that not all foreign doctors are recognized in the same way. In almost all cases, doctors from the EU receive recognition, while colleagues from third countries often have to take a knowledge test. These procedures are considered complex and can take up to 24 months, which is currently being criticized as a hindrance. Initiatives to simplify and accelerate these procedures are already underway.

Especially in a country that has to face the challenges of an aging population in medical care, the more interesting is the view of the domestic structures. The Federal Medical Association and the Ministry of Health are working on strategies in order not to solve Germany's shortage of doctors through the resources of foreign specialists, but by reforming the health system.