Magdeburg (dpa/sa) – You get a place at a medical school even without a top qualification and undertake to practice as a country doctor or public health officer in Saxony-Anhalt for at least ten years: the state is again looking for applicants who want to study according to the country doctor quota. After an increase in the proportion from 5 to 6.3 percent, 26 such study places will be available in Magdeburg and Halle for the winter semester 2023/24, as the Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Friday in Magdeburg. Applications are possible until March 31st.
“Thanks to the country doctor quota, not only a first-class high school graduate can become a good family doctor, but also someone who, for example, has already proven their social skills and empathy in a profession in patient contact,” explained Health Minister Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD).
The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians does not have enough study places for prospective physicians. “The increase in the number of study places available is a step in the right direction, but is not yet sufficient to be able to cover the need for medical care in the future,” explained KV boss Jörg Böhme. “With the introduction of the country doctor quota, not one university place has been added. We urgently need more medical university places nationwide.”
According to KV information, 254 general practitioner positions are currently vacant. Another deficit is to be expected. There is also a lack of doctors in the health authorities. And so Saxony-Anhalt is also looking for five prospective medical officers via the quota in the coming winter semester. In the first round last year, the response was restrained, explained Grimm-Benne. She is hoping for more applications this year. “No night shifts, a future-proof job in the public sector and a good compatibility with family life make the job profile attractive.”
