Struggles with Medical Assistants in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Practices
Insufficient supply of medical assistants in Medical Valley, causing strain in healthcare services - Healthcare Facilities in MV Struggle with staffing Shortage of Medical Personnel
In the casual, buddy-like jargon of a community chat, let's talk about the headache docs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern face: a scarcity of medical assistants (MFA), according to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (KVMV).
The Association of Medical Professions (VMF) clues us in on the reality - as of mid-2021, there were 6,422 MFA working in the region. However, the situation isn't looking bright, says VMF president Hannelore König. She points out the decrease in trainee numbers since 2021 and the exodus of MFAs due to low salaries compared to their responsibilities, stress levels, and comparable health professions.
Doctors are speaking up about their growing problems. “We don’t have figures on the exact number of vacant MFA positions in the practices,” says Grit Büttner from KVMV. Still, they're encountering increasing difficulties in recruitment and anticipate a worsening situation in the future.
What's the root of this shortage, you ask? KVMV attributes it more to demographic changes rather than the profession's appeal. Despite its high reputation, the versatility and extensive knowledge of MFAs make them attractive to other fields, leading to competition between doctor’s practices, hospitals, health insurance companies, and healing service providers.
Not only does König see the shortage escalating, but she predicts it will be aggravated by the baby boomer generation's retirement and the growing need for MFAs to ease doctors’ workloads.
To nip this problem in the bud, KVMV emphasizes the urgency for an increase in MFA training places and is promoting MFA training via a campaign.
That's the gist, folks. Healthcare workforce challenges, such as those in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, can impact various regions, but initiatives like educational facilities, improved working conditions, and international recruitment could help alleviate the situation.
In light of the predicted rise in retirements and increasing demand for Medical Assistants (MFAs), the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (KVMV) urges the enhancement of vocational training programs for MFAs. The versatility and extensive knowledge possessed by MFAs make them valuable assets, often sought after in various industries, including science and health-and-wellness sectors, necessitating the need for more training to ensure a sufficient workforce for community policy implementation.
