Red alert: Germany faces a shortage of family doctors by 2040!

Red alert: Germany faces a shortage of family doctors by 2040!

The shortage of doctors in Germany has become an increasingly critical problem that seriously threatens the population's basic medical care. According to a comprehensive study by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Barmer Institute for Health Research, a serious shortage of family doctors is predicted by 2040, especially in small towns and rural areas. There are currently more than 5,000 family doctor seats vacant. A main reason for this development is the impending wave of retirements: around 41 percent of practicing general practitioners are 60 years of age or older, and a quarter plan to retire within the next five years for reasons of age. [exxpress.at] reports an alarming situation that not only affects the numbers, but also qualitatively in the form of increasing waiting times and a decline in group practices.

Another aspect of the problem is the difficult working conditions for general practitioners. Many doctors are confronted with increasing bureaucracy, high work pressure and a lack of support. Two thirds of respondents in a survey complained about interference from software and programs, which further reduced the efficiency of their work. These stressful factors are causing more and more doctors to prefer part-time positions or to work in clinics rather than practice independently. The number of individual general practitioner practices has fallen by around 5,000 since 2015, from 30,000 to around 25,000, which further exacerbates the supply issues. [deutschlandfunk.de]

Demographic challenge

Demographic change also contributes to the explosive situation. The population is getting older and needs more intensive care. In addition, research results show that the number of general practitioners will decrease significantly in the coming decades, while there will be no new blood. According to a forecast by the Robert Bosch Foundation, every second family doctor will retire by 2035, which could lead to a total of 11,000 unfilled positions. East German federal states are particularly affected by this development; It is predicted that western German states, such as Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate, will soon experience similar problems. [zeit.de]

The need for action is undeniable. Experts suggest several measures to close the looming gap. This includes the targeted promotion of young medical talent in underserved regions as well as the increased use of digital applications and support from non-medical specialists. Barmer boss Christoph Straub emphasized that without appropriate measures, a nationwide undersupply cannot be avoided. In particular, a primary doctor system is called for that could regulate access to specialists. [exxpress.at]

Public reaction and poll numbers

In Austria there is also widespread dissatisfaction with the public health system. A Gallup poll shows that only half of the population is satisfied with their medical care, and 11 percent even describe themselves as “very satisfied.” The majority of those surveyed reported deterioration in recent times, while only a few spoke of improvements. The perceived supply situation has deteriorated and 70 percent of those surveyed complain about a lack of specialists, which increases the urgency of the reforms. [exxpress.at]

The coming years will be crucial in ensuring primary care in Germany. With the right package of measures, it could be possible to avert the negative forecasts and counteract the shortage of doctors.