Medical care is at serious risk. Despite the massive influx to the medical entrance examination, the demand can hardly be covered. More than every third doctor will retire in twelve years.
Nearly 12,000 young people worked eight long hours on Friday to secure a coveted spot in a medical school. The big problem: there are only 1850 places. That’s how many doctors Austria trains every year – then there is a break in the broadcast. However, those who survive go abroad or even take up another profession.
Also 1400 Germans competed for a spot
In Vienna alone, 1,400 Germans tried again this year to get one of the coveted places. However, 75 percent of this is reserved for applicants with an Austrian Matura certificate. But that is no guarantee that they will actually stay in the country. President of the Medical Association, Dr. Harald Schlögel: “30 to 35 percent of graduates go abroad. Other countries save on training costs and can therefore pay more, especially for young doctors. This is where you should start.”
Retirement wave: 17,000 doctors leave
Austria is missing tens of thousands of doctors as a result, and 17,000 of them will retire in the next twelve years. Eight percent (4000) of all currently practicing physicians are already of retirement age. Not to mention filling up cash registers. Across Austria, there are currently about 170 operations for general practitioners and more than 120 for orphan specialists. In many regions there is a huge undersupply.
Should local universities massively increase capacity? Anita Rieder, vice rector at MedUni Vienna, the country’s largest university, tempered the overly high expectations in an interview with “Krone”: “We are constantly expanding the study places and will be able to offer about 200 additional places by 2030. a total of 2000 per year.
“Does a medical student really need to know these stupid questions?”
The MedAT entrance test for future medical students has been expanded with a new category in the question block “Social Competence”. “Regulate Emotions” is based on the latest psychological research.
Anita Rieder, Vice Rector of Education at MedUni Vienna, explains: “Even if it is good access, the will to help alone is not enough. We need to find out who is qualified to complete the study. And we can do that with this test.” Even if the questions seem bizarre, they are likely to be decisive for your career as a doctor.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
