Struggling Medical Practices in Schleswig-Holstein: A Growing Shortage of Medical Assistants
Numerous healthcare facilities across Schleswig-Holstein struggle with staffing shortages. - Understaffed Medical Facilities Prevail in Schleswig-Holstein
Down to the Nitty-GrittyIn the heart of Schleswig-Holstein, medical practices are grappling with a talent crunch, desperately lacking Medical Assistants (MFA). This workforce shortage poses a significant challenge, according to doctors’ representatives.
As of the tail-end of last year, Schleswig-Holstein was home to approximately 14,929 MFA working in medical practices. But the Association of Medical Professions paints a grim picture, with the number of trainees dwindling since 2021, as per the Association President, Hannelore König.
Brain Drain in the Medical FieldWhy are MFA leaving the profession? According to König, aspects such as the low salary compared to the responsibility for health, the daily stress factor, and other comparable health professions push them away.
The Heartbeat of the PracticeSo, what's the big deal about MFA? Jens Lassen, chairman of the House Doctors' Association Schleswig-Holstein, explains, "Without them, a practice is almost nothing." Many practices in Schleswig-Holstein, though, must continue their hunt for these vital team members—yet Lassen couldn't provide concrete numbers on the pressing demand for MFA.
Patient Care at RiskThe shortage of MFA translates to real consequences for patient care, as Lassen highlights: "This problem directly affects a practice's capacity, with immediate effects on patient care. It means longer waiting times, limited range of services, and increased workload for doctors."
A Crisis for Medical PracticesDelf Kröger, spokesman for the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Bad Segeberg, echoes this sentiment, "The shortage of skilled workers in practices is a significant problem that greatly affects doctors." He adds that finding quality MFA is a hassle. Well-trained assistants, he emphasizes, are integral to a thriving practice.
The Competitive LandscapeThe shortage impacts all specialties, with doctors reporting that skilled workers are being swept up by competitors like clinics that offer better conditions. Kröger appeals for adequate funding for medical practices so they can compensate skilled workers fairly.
A Worsening SituationAccording to the 2023 Skills Shortage Analysis by the Federal Employment Agency in the Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg region, four out of six criteria predict a shortage. The situation has deteriorated since 2024, with the ratio of job seekers to vacancies remaining disproportionate. König believes that the situation will only worsen in the future due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation and the growing need for MFA to alleviate doctors' workloads.
Until the competition for MFAs between medical practices and clinics is equalized, the shortage in practices is likely to persist, particularly in large cities and areas near clinics.
Closing the Wage GapIn recent years, the association of medical professions has secured substantial salary increases for medical technical assistants (MTA). However, the wage disparity compared to equivalent professions remains substantial. König calls for wage adjustments, as MTAs undergo the same training duration as nursing professionals and carry equivalent levels of responsibility for patients.
Looking AheadArmed with these insights, local health authorities and professional medical associations in Schleswig-Holstein might consider exploring strategies like training programs, recruitment incentives, partnerships, technology integration, flexible work arrangements, and government support to help alleviate the current shortage of MFAs in the region.
In an attempt to address the growing shortage of Medical Assistants (MFA) in Schleswig-Holstein, various strategies could be implemented, such as community policy alterations to attract more individuals to vocational training programs in the medical field. Furthermore, ensuring equitable wages for Medical Technical Assistants (MTA) could potentially prevent the loss of talented professionals, thus improving health-and-wellness outcomes by addressing medical-conditions more efficiently.
Considering the critical role MFA play in medical practices and their work with doctors to care for patients, increasing the number of vocational training opportunities inSchleswig-Holstein could not only improve medical practices' capacity but also boost the overall science and health-and-wellness sector by nurturing a more skilled workforce.
