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Bavarian Medical Association Warns of Doctor Shortage Amidst Growing Demand and Aging Workforce

Bavaria's doctor numbers are growing, but not fast enough. An aging workforce and changing work preferences among younger doctors threaten to leave the healthcare system short-staffed.

In this picture we can see three men, they are seated on the chairs, beside to them we can find few...
In this picture we can see three men, they are seated on the chairs, beside to them we can find few bottles.

Bavarian Medical Association Warns of Too Few Doctors in Bavaria - Bavarian Medical Association Warns of Doctor Shortage Amidst Growing Demand and Aging Workforce

The Bavarian Medical Association has expressed concern over the current trends in the number of doctors in Bavaria. While the total number of employed doctors has increased by 2.6% to 73,631 within a year, the growth rate is insufficient to keep up with demand and demographic challenges.

The average age of all employed doctors in Bavaria is around 49 years, with those in the inpatient area being around 43 years. However, the outpatient area has seen a significant shift, with the proportion of employed doctors rising to around 39%, a 9.2% increase within a year. The average age in this area is almost 54 years. This trend is largely due to structural changes, including increasing demand for outpatient services, a shift towards employed models, and efforts to improve work-life balance.

The younger generation of doctors, often referred to as 'gen z', prefers part-time work and employed positions, leading to a greater need for staff as treatment intensity increases. Meanwhile, many specialists from the 'boomer generation' are retiring, contributing to the shortage of doctors.

The Bavarian Medical Association warns that the current growth rate of doctor numbers is insufficient to compensate for increasing part-time work, employed activity, and demographic challenges. As the average age of employed doctors continues to rise, and the younger generation seeks different work arrangements, the healthcare system must adapt to ensure adequate staffing and care for the population.

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