Parents are desperate because specialists are missing. Young doctors would like to become pediatricians, but there are not enough training places. So what to do? The head of Innsbruck’s children’s clinic, Thomas Müller, had an idea – and it should now become reality.
At the beginning of August, the head of the children’s clinic in Innsbruck, Thomas Müller, sounded the alarm at the 125th anniversary of the children’s clinic. As reported, there is a dangerous undersupply of pediatrics in Tyrol. Cash registers are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. Some have been orphans for years. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to fill vacancies in district hospitals.
The absurdity of the situation: There is a shortage of pediatricians, although the profession is in high demand. Many young doctors would like to study pediatrics. But they just don’t get an internship. Because these are limited. A circumstance that causes bottlenecks not only in pediatrics. However, in this subject it is particularly rude. “We could train significantly more young doctors, but there is a lack of funding,” Müller says, pointing out the dilemma.
State and ÖGK want to fund places in the training
Now a solution could be found. One that could serve as a role model beyond the borders of Tyrol. The state government wants to make a decision on Tuesday. This stipulates that the government will finance the training places together with health insurer ÖGK and regional partners such as municipal associations. Specifically, initially eight in the coming years. The special thing about it: during the training, the doctors work not only in the clinic, but also in regional hospitals and in the private sector.
“This creates a connection with the region,” says Arno Melitopulos, project manager at the ÖGK, about the hoped-for benefit. The ÖGK is mainly concerned with the specialist functions in the country. Experience shows that it is easier to fill these positions if young doctors can gain experience there during their training.
Immediate effects because young doctors work in rural areas
The director of the clinic also observes this relatively simple principle. He mentions the Oberland as an example, where a pediatrician has been trained in collaboration with the Zams hospital and is located locally. For Müller, the new collaboration with the state, municipalities and ÖGK is a “milestone” that could also prevent shortages of doctors in other specialist areas. The additional training places would have immediate positive effects, he emphasizes: “The doctors are already present in the regions during the training and relieve existing structures. This allows us to offer additional emergency services during off-peak hours.”
The state government also sees this initiative as an important step. In this way, a wave of retirements and vacancy can be effectively countered.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
