Medical care in Traunstein: Red alert threatens!

Medical care in Traunstein: Red alert threatens!

In the Traunstein district, medical care is currently looking bleak. A current analysis shows that the aging medical workforce is endangering future health care. Despite a nationwide oversupply of specialists, the data points to serious problems that affect not only the availability but also the accessibility of medical services. Chiemgau24 reports a worrying development that points to the age structure of doctors.

The majority of specialist practices are concentrated in and around the cities of Traunstein and Traunreut. The numbers for surgeons and orthopedists are particularly striking: the level of care here is a whopping 224 percent, while the average age of doctors is 54.4 years. Over 27 percent of these doctors are already over 60 years old. But a similar picture emerges in other specialist disciplines: for example, 39 percent of ophthalmologists and 25 percent of dermatologists are older than their sixth decade. This aging could lead to a supply gap in the near future.

Worrying statistics

A look at the levels of care provided by the various specialists reveals some surprising findings. While the level of care among ENT doctors and pediatricians is over 123 percent, the situation among gynecologists is significantly more problematic. 66 percent of the 27 doctors are based in Traunstein, which means long journeys for women from rural areas. There is also unequal access to urologists: five of seven practices are in Traunstein, which creates large gaps in care in the southern and eastern district.

Another example are the internists in the region: despite 14 cardiologists, there is only one nephrologist for every 178,000 inhabitants. Among internists, 35.4 percent are over 60 years old. This data highlights how much medical care statistics mask real-world problems. The KVB explains that needs-based planning of supply offerings must take place at different spatial levels in order to really guarantee accessibility.

Need for action in the future

In view of the challenges arising from generational change, solutions are required. Health policy is faced with the task of promoting the creation of a balanced distribution of specialists while at the same time ensuring accessibility. The current oversupply may lead you to believe that everything is fine, but the picture is deceptive. It is high time to take action so that medical care remains on a stable foundation for future generations.