The Styrian primary school teacher Reinhold Kerbl came out with an interesting suggestion: instead of the (disputed) medical entrance test, a one-year nursing internship in a hospital should be done. While the medical association and the rector of Med University are skeptical about the idea, the Styrian health minister reacts positively.
Reinhold Kerbl works as a primary care provider at the LKH Leoben and has been very present in the media as a specialist in pediatrics since the corona pandemic. His proposal therefore weighs heavily. It is about the medical entrance course, in which year after year only a fraction of the candidates succeed to study. Specifically, there were only 1,850 of the more than 12,000 applicants this year.
Dealing with people is more important than interpreting texts
Health provinces such as Styrian Juliane Bogner-Strauß (ÖVP) have already criticized the loss of many young, motivated people to the medical world. De Kerbl sees something similar. “I think it’s much smarter to look at how people approach people in everyday life than how to correctly interpret formulas or texts,” the doctor says on ORF radio.
His suggestion: you should be admitted to the program if you are found suitable after a mandatory one-year nursing internship in a hospital. Then, in addition to theoretical (and learned) knowledge, skills such as empathy would also play a greater role.
“You have to face reality”
Bogner-Strauß reacted positively to Kerbl’s idea: “I think the considerations are well-founded and welcome. The admission test for medical students should also be discussed given the striking lack of pension doctors on all sides. You have to face reality and choose the right ones. charting course for the coming years. The associated practice is also important as a first place to experience nursing and medicine.”
“Do not use students as emergency aid”
The medical association, on the other hand, reacted more critically. President Johannes Steinhart: “I believe that prospective medical students cannot simply be used as an emergency measure in the system because health care policies have been flawed all along. Nursing is a highly qualified profession.” But Steinhart also sees a need for reform in the medical entrance exam.
“Idea not finished”
Asked by the “Krone”, the Rector of the Medical University of Graz, Hellmut Samonigg, speaks of an idea that seems original at first glance, but not fully thought through, “irresponsibly mixing two explosive health policy issues”. It would be an “irresponsible step backwards” if the existing admission test were to be replaced. This is “on a scientific basis, continuously developed and leading to an objective result in terms of quality,” says Samonigg.
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.
