Limited supply of healthcare professionals persists, inadequate recruitment to various medical facilities
Medical studies continue to be a popular subject in Germany, attracting a high number of applicants each semester. However, the current number of medical study places, which has increased from approximately 9,000 to about 10,000 over the past ten years, is far from sufficient to address the shortage of doctors in the country.
The demand for doctors in Germany outpaces the current supply of medical students, with approximately 20,000 applicants being rejected each semester. Despite the increase in medical study places, this number has not significantly reduced, indicating that more needs to be done to address the issue.
The Kultusbetrieb der Länder (state education authorities) has been criticised for delaying the expansion of medical study places over the last ten years. Conservative budget and planning models have been cited as the main reasons for the slow progress. To address the shortage, measures under discussion include increasing medical study capacities, improving financial frameworks, and possibly reforming the distribution and specialization of medical education.
However, concrete broad strategies and cooperation on this remain challenging. The Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) continues to assert that there is a shortage of doctors due to insufficient medical students, highlighting the need for urgent action.
The shortage of doctors in Germany is a significant ongoing issue, with potential implications for the quality of healthcare services provided to the population. It is hoped that through increased investment in medical education and more efficient planning, the doctor shortage can be effectively addressed in the near future.
