Instead of More Study Places: Greens Demand Reform of Medical Education

The Greens are against the increase in medical study places demanded by Health State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) as a response to the wave of retirements among doctors. More study places would not automatically mean more doctors in the system, pointed out Green health spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner, referring to the current response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Greens from the Ministry of Health.

Greens for a Better Medical Training System

The real bottleneck in medical training is not the study itself, but the postgraduate training in hospitals. Currently, it is not even known whether all approved training places are actually reflected and filled in the staffing plans of hospitals. "If these places are missing, we should not be surprised if young doctors complete their training abroad," said Schallmeiner.

According to the inquiry response, there are currently considerable waiting times for a place for basic training in hospitals, especially in urban areas, which is partly attributed to the fact that certain hospitals are particularly popular and waiting times are accepted for them. On average, the waiting time in months was in the low single-digit range, most often one to two months.

Financial Reward for Hospitals with Good Training Offers

Before increasing study places, it must be ensured that the existing training places "actually exist and are not repurposed," demanded Schallmeiner. Furthermore, the 1:1 ratio in the training scheme for many subjects must be questioned and more flexible models enabled. He also advocated for modern working time models and more attractive training so that doctors remain in the country after graduation and do not migrate to Germany or Switzerland. According to Schallmeiner, one lever for this would be to financially reward those hospitals that fully utilize their training places and make efforts for graduates.

Additionally, nursing, MTD professions, medical personnel, and other health professions must finally be given more responsibility. "It must not be the case that central reforms such as the modernization of the Paramedic Act or 'Vaccination in Pharmacies' are held up by professional or power-political blockades."

(APA/Red)

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