Thuringia suffers from a lack of doctors

Thuringia suffers from a lack of doctors: The Free State needs more doctors than previously thought

01/05/2011

In the state of Thuringia, there are no more physicians than previously thought. According to a recent evaluation of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (KV), there are currently 234 family physicians and 47 medical specialists in Thuringia. Although the proportion of the population has been declining for years, the proportion of pensioners is growing steadily.

In Thuringia almost twice as many family doctors and specialists are missing, as previously thought. The Free State requires 234 additional family doctors and 47 medical specialists. Above all, specialists in the areas of the nerves, skin, eyes and ear, nose and throat (ENT) are searched. As late as November last year 2010, the medical association calculated an additional need for a total of 136 physicians. The newly calculated figures result from a new process of surveys of the needs of physicians. The new calculation method now also takes into account the age distribution and the sick leave of the population. This data is now included in the needs analysis, as a spokesman told the KV.

Due to the recalculation in Thuringia further jobs for doctors are advertised. Although, in principle, the number of inhabitants in the federal state has been falling for years, on the other hand, however, the proportion of pensioners is rising. The increased proportion of pensioners also increases the need for medical health care. For this reason, more physicians are needed despite a decreasing population. A shortage threatens according to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, especially in the cities of Greiz, Gotha and Nordhausen. (Sb)

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