General practitioners in Bremen: Alarming undersupply for all generations!

General practitioners in Bremen: Alarming undersupply for all generations!

In the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, medical care is increasingly becoming a central nuisance for many citizens. Jochen Windheuser, deputy spokesman for the health and care working group in the Bremen senior citizens' representation, draws attention to the serious grievances that result from the unequal distribution of general practitioners. Especially in outlying areas like Blumenthal, care is below expectations, which not only affects older people, but families and all generations. “The family doctors are literally disappearing from the districts,” says Windheuser. This trend is alarming and requires quick action.

According to Windheuser, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians must take responsibility for more granular control of family medical care. “The usual medical practice is a concept from yesterday,” he criticizes the status quo and calls for modern workplaces that meet the demands of young doctors. The first successes can be seen in Bremerhaven, where a new medical care center (MVZ) is already providing positive impulses. But that's just the beginning.

Demand planning for more equitable supply

The nationwide one Demand planning plays a central role in ensuring outpatient healthcare in Germany. The directive aims to give doctors and psychotherapists new opportunities to establish themselves where they are really needed. The statutory health insurance associations must analyze the local conditions and react to them in order to avoid under- and over-supply. It is important to ensure that resident doctors are located where the need is greatest. For example, a coverage level below 110% means that an area is open to new approvals.

The health authority also sees itself as increasingly responsible at the federal level. Health Senator Claudia Bernhard has recognized the need for action and emphasized that more family doctors are urgently needed for Bremen. The issue of health care is a hot topic of discussion in many parts of the city, and plans to reform demand planning are intended to help remedy the shortcomings.

Rural areas: challenges and solutions

Providing services of general interest in rural regions is a particular challenge. In these areas there are often fewer health care facilities and long journeys to doctors are common for the population. This is exacerbated by the sometimes higher disease burden in these regions. Simple solutions are needed, but there is often a lack of ideas and implementation. Innovative care concepts, such as collaborations between different health professions or telemedicine approaches, could provide relief.

The need to integrate medical care planning into public services could be a key to solving these complex problems. Decisions must be made that meet the needs of the population. Loud BPP The average accessibility of doctors in rural regions is not the same, which means that many people do not receive regular medical care. Action is required at all levels here.

In order to overcome these challenges, not only new medical care centers and innovative concepts are required, but also a rethink in the training and recruitment of new doctors. Health care in Bremen is at a crossroads: either it is possible to address these problems with sustainable solutions or medical care falls further behind.