A Successful Strategy against the Expected Shortage of Physicians in Rural Areas

Abstract

The expected shortage of physicians in rural areas of Germany calls for strategies to prevent an under-supply of care for patients living in such areas. The innovative care project "Good Physicians are needed for the Countryside" is a multi-modal concept comprising 29 components implemented in an economically deprived area, aiming to attract young physicians to work in rural areas on a long-term basis. 5 physicians in training were hired during the project phase, and a further 3 after the project had ended. 2 of these now own and run one of the cooperating practices. Project components facilitating learning across generations was considered especially important;13 of 29 project components (45%) were judged to be very important by participants. It is possible to motivate medical doctors and their families to work in the countryside by providing targeted individual professional and personal counselling, which requires limited organizational capacity but considerable commitment of staff time.