Lack of pediatricians in large cities: Parents despair of appointment problems!

Lack of pediatricians in large cities: Parents despair of appointment problems!

The lack of pediatricians in Germany is now also seriously talking about itself in large cities. A current analysis of the Verivox comparison portal found that around 1,270 children and adolescents come to a resident pediatrician in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. A number game with worrying dimensions when you see that there are even 2,752 children per pediatrician in Recklinghausen - that is 117 percent above the nationwide average. But other cities in the Ruhr area also do badly: 2,312 children are waiting for a doctor in Hamm, in Oberhausen there are 2,114, and even 2,111.

Compared to these dark statistics, there are also bright spots. Cologne, among the four million cities, has the best care with 1,155 children per pediatrician. The most promise is that even in the city with good care, pediatricians are still in demand and the waiting rooms are full due to increased respiratory diseases. The medical association also reports on an increase in flu cases and RSV infections, which also contains the pediatricians.

overload by seasonal waves

in North Rhine-Westphalia, there has been a sudden increase in flu-sickness lately. Within a week, the number of flu patients rose from 2,800 to around 5,000. Children up to 14 years of age are particularly affected, which significantly increases the burden on pediatric practices. The pediatricians are faced with the high number of colds and respiratory diseases that are additionally favored by Corona, a real flood of visits to the doctor. Parents are increasingly difficult to get appointments and find a new doctor when a practice closes, which further increases the pressure on the practices, reports RP-Online.

you should also consider the outdated needs planning based on the 1970s. After this planning, a pediatrician should be available for 1,000 to 1,500 children, but this standard is no longer suitable for the modern health care of the children. Tanja Brunnert from BVKJ urgently calls for improved equipment for the practices and modernized supply models. The need for strategic changes is clearly outlined: the demand planning urgently needs to be revised so that families receive adequate care.

difficult conditions in pediatrics

The medical association in Berlin notes worrying conditions for children's clinics and resident pediatricians. On the occasion of the World Children's Day, which will be celebrated on September 20, 2023, experts require effective concepts to improve children. The overload of the pediatricians, combined with the constant care of the parents for their children, shows that there is a need for action here. An important topic is also the lack of medical staff in the practices, which still exacerbates the situation. Pediatric medicines, especially in times of infection waves, which also heats up the problem.

The UNICEF day recognized worldwide every year on September 20, therefore, is all about child rights. Here, the Federal Government demands that the needs of the little ones to focus more and more into the center. It remains to be hoped that the pressure of experts and associations is sufficient to initiate the necessary reforms and to improve health care in Germany. So when the reserves in the supply planning are finally increased, the unbearable grievance in pediatrics is included.

For all parents who are concerned about the health of their children, it is to be hoped that the situation will soon be relaxed and decided to ensure the necessary care. Because one thing we all know: The health of our children is important to us, and something must be done urgently so that we can build on durable solutions.