New specialist in general medicine: important step for Austria's health!

New specialist in general medicine: important step for Austria's health!

Österreich - On March 26, 2025, significant progress in Austrian healthcare was announced: The introduction of the new specialist in general medicine and family medicine, which has been expected for a long time, has now been successfully implemented. This decision pursues the goal of further optimizing patient care in Austria and fighting the acute lack of general practitioners, especially in rural regions. ots.at reports that the family doctor takes on a central role in the health system and patients for the necessary medical treatment Get.

Johannes Steinhart, President of the Austrian Medical Association, welcomed the new field and emphasized the importance of this step for health care. The number of specialists in general medicine and family medicine is growing, which is regarded as a positive trend for ensuring medical care in Austria. The path to the introduction of this specialist was long and began with a decision in 1992. Since then, various steps have been taken to create the prerequisites for the training and recognition of the specialist.

training and further education

The new training regulations, which puts practical experience in the foreground, provides for a 24-month teaching practice. This teaching practice takes place where general medicine is practiced. This was also supported by an agreement between the Austrian Society for General Medicine (ÖGAM) and the Doctors of General Medicine in 2020. Training as a general practitioner takes a total of five years and includes various medical specialist areas. aerztestellen.aerztblatt.de emphasizes that 12 months of it are created in internal medicine and 6 months in another supply area. Up to 18 months in other areas can be recognized, which guarantees broad training.

The Federal Council unanimously supported the legal basis for the introduction of the new specialist. parlament.gv.at reports on The political measures that are necessary to combat the lack of doctors in the outpatient medical care. Changes in the Hospital and Curial Institute Act were also unanimously decided. The training can be started at the earliest from June 1, 2026. The law also examines measures to increase the attractiveness of general medicine studies.

In addition, there was a unanimous decision to modernize the occupational disease list, which was expanded to include four new clinical pictures. The new regulations aim to ensure future medical care sustainably and to meet the health needs of the population.