(de-news.net) – According to a recent analysis conducted by the Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (CHE), the number of available medical study places in Germany remains insufficient to effectively address the ongoing shortage of physicians. For the upcoming winter semester, approximately 10,000 first-year students secured admission to medical faculties, while an estimated 20,000 applicants were not accepted. An additional 1,500 students gained entry to private institutions. Although the study does not specify the precise number of additional places required, health policy experts have previously suggested an annual increase of approximately 5,000 study places.

Representatives of student organizations have emphasized that, while certain regions suffer from inadequate healthcare provision, others experience oversupply. Moreover, many universities are already operating at the limits of their capacity. In addition, adverse working conditions in hospitals are cited as a significant deterrent for prospective medical professionals. The allocation of medical study places varies considerably across federal states: Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offer relatively high numbers per capita, whereas Brandenburg and Bremen currently lack any public medical education programs. One of the principal challenges identified is the substantial cost of operating medical faculties, estimated at 25,000 euros per student annually.

The report concludes that regions investing in medical education tend to benefit from improved physician availability. Accordingly, the presence of medical faculties is deemed essential for ensuring sustainable healthcare provision, with a demonstrable correlation between such institutions and higher physician density.