New dermatologist's practice in Elxleben: gap in care closed!

New dermatologist's practice in Elxleben: gap in care closed!

In Elxleben, a small town in the Sömmerda district, the Foundation for Outpatient Medical Care has opened a new dermatologist's practice. This initiative aims to close an urgent dermatological care gap in the region, as Welt.de reports. Annette Rommel, the first chairwoman of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) Thuringia, noted that 1.5 dermatologist seats have recently been vacant - a situation that is now being remedied by staffing the practice with two female doctors.

Dermatologist Uta Zell started working in the new facility in mid-June and will be supported by dermatologist Julia Blumentritt in October. These new appointments are particularly important because there is an acute need for dermatological treatments. Dermatological care covers various areas. These include, among other things, general dermatology, skin cancer prevention and the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, as Ortsdienst.de explains in detail.

The benefits of these practices

The foundation, which now operates nine practices in the Free State of Thuringia, has set itself the goal of improving the availability of doctors, particularly in rural regions. Therefore, a total of 19 practices have been opened since it was founded in 2009. This is mainly done by employing the doctors, which saves them the financial risk of starting a business and enables them to initially learn how to run a practice under supervision.

In Thuringia, around 4,300 practicing doctors are currently fighting a shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. This is compounded by the fact that many physicians are retiring and successors are often difficult to find. It is therefore pleasing that the foundation practice acts as a kind of “branch school” that not only offers young doctors a job, but also teaches valuable practice management skills.

Current challenges in medical care

The medical and healthcare sector in Thuringia faces several challenges. KVT boss Rommel pointed out various problems, including excessive bureaucracy and the lack of digitalization, which burden many doctors. Young doctors also often have difficulty finding their way financially because this is not taken into account in the training program. According to MDR, there are funding programs for new practices in underserved regions, but they are not sufficient to cover the need.

Another important offer are the programs such as the “branch driving school”, which is intended to prepare prospective doctors specifically for taking over practices. This support is necessary not only to increase the number of practicing physicians, but also to ensure the best possible medical care for patients in the region.

With the opening of this dermatologist's practice in Elxleben, an important step has been taken to counteract the medical undercare and sustainably improve health care in the region.