26 prospective general practitioners start in winter studies in Saxony-Anhalt!

26 prospective general practitioners start in winter studies in Saxony-Anhalt!

On July 3, 2025, it became official: The country doctor quota in Saxony-Anhalt does justice to its reputation and enables 26 prospective doctors to start studying human medicine. Minister of Health Petra Grimm-Benne congratulated the students, 19 of whom came from their own state, on their successful completion of the selection process. This gratifying message makes you take notice and shows that the initiative for promoting medical care in the country bears fruit. In the coming winter semester, the students will start their studies at the universities of Magdeburg and Halle, with a clear obligation: After completing their studies and training, they have to practice in regions of Saxony-Anhalt at least ten years.

This measure has been established in recent years as a model of success that not only produces the urgently needed general practitioners, but also improves the quality of medical care in rural areas. In addition to the 26 places, which were awarded by the land doctor quota, there are five more places on the official doctor quota, which are tied to a later work in the public health service. The response to this model is consistently positive: over 130 students have applied as part of the preliminary quota, and the preliminary quota is increased from 32 to 38 study places annually. This means that six other students take the chance to start in the winter semester.

a new job description in medicine

What distinguishes the land doctor rate? In contrast to the central approval process of the Foundation for University Registration, the selection criteria of the land doctor quota take more consideration of the professional previous experience in the health sector and personal social skills. In this way, applicants with less good high school grades can also go into medical training without hesitation. Another plus: Each student receives a family doctor as a mentor who accompanies him during his studies and enables initial practical experience. The aim is to optimally prepare the prospective doctors for the challenges of a family practice in rural areas.

Minister Grimm-Benne, who is also responsible for work, social affairs and equality, sees a significant step in the right direction in the country doctor quota. "Not only a one-person Abitur is required for working as a doctor, but also social skills and experience in dealing with patients are of great importance," said Grimm-Benne. Dr. Jörg Böhme, CEO of the Saxony-Anhalt Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, was also positive about the acquisition of new general practitioners and sees the best chances of ensuring medical care in difficult regions.

A look into the future

Saxony-Anhalt has positioned itself as a pioneer in this form of allocation of study since the winter semester 2020/2021. More and more prospective farm doctors were won, many of them come directly from the state. The so far high response to the tenders of the land doctor quota underpins the success of this model, which could also serve other federal states as an example. It is important for the next applicants to know: The application deadline for the winter semester 2025/26 ends on March 31, 2025. So if you are interested in this exciting and future-proof career, you should find out in good time on the website Landarztquote-sachsen-anhalt.de.