The shortage of general practitioners is becoming an increasingly pressing problem in Germany. According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, around 5,000 family doctor positions are currently not occupied. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find successors for medical practices, especially in rural areas. In addition, almost 40 percent of family doctors are already 60 years old or older and are expected to retire in the coming years.
In Brandenburg alone, according to the state government, there is already a shortage of family doctors in 21 of 46 regions, or there is a risk of undersupply. Every third family doctor in the country is at least 60 years old, and every sixth is even older than 65.
Brandenburg gets its first state university medicine
Brandenburg wants to take countermeasures with the new Medical University of Lausitz - Carl Thiem. It is the first state medical university in Brandenburg. It is rare in Germany for a medical university to be founded from scratch. The Medical University of Lausitz was only founded two years ago - as part of the structural change in the former coal region. The federal and state governments are funding the project with a total of 3.7 billion euros.
The first 38 students began their training here at the beginning of October. It's a special start for them. With an average age of 24, some already have professional experience, others start straight after school.
From nurse to medical student
Justus Gutsche originally wanted to become a professional footballer, he said jokingly on the stage at the matriculation ceremony. Instead, he decided to train as a nursing specialist at the Carl Thiem Clinic in Cottbus and then gained professional experience. What particularly excites him about medicine is the direct contact with people and the opportunity to positively influence their lives, he says.
When he learned about the plans for a medical university in Cottbus in 2024, he knew that he wanted to study there. Now, in his own words, he can cycle to the university in ten minutes.
Alma Freigang also consciously decided to study at the new university. “I didn’t want to go so far from home,” she says. Cottbus was her first choice. The first year includes a total of 26 women and twelve men. They come from all parts of Germany, eleven of them from Brandenburg.
According to the plan, many of them will later decide to work as country doctors, because they are urgently needed, and not just in Lusatia. One of the focal points of the new university is therefore early practical relevance. The students already have contact with patients in the first semester. Part of the concept also includes collaborations with general practitioners in the region. From the third semester onwards, the students should learn in the region's practices.
Quota should bring doctors to the countryside
To ensure that more young doctors stay in Brandenburg in the future, the state has also decided on a country doctor quota. From 2027, four study places per year will initially be awarded to applicants who commit to working as a family doctor in an underserved region of Brandenburg for ten years after completing their studies and specialist training. Later, ten percent of the study places will be allocated via the quota. Anyone who fails to fulfill their contractual obligation must expect a fine of up to 250,000 euros.
When selecting students, it's not just the Abitur grade that plays a role. An aptitude test and practical experience in medical or nursing professions are also taken into account.
But the quota alone will not solve the shortage of doctors. Initially it only affects a few study places. And it will be another ten years before the first students complete their medical studies and subsequent specialist training.
The Brandenburg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians therefore also sees the municipalities as responsible. In order for young doctors to move to the countryside, the living conditions would have to be right - with apartments, child care and schools.
