Prescriptions against the shortage of doctors

The Grand Duchy should in theory be attractive for prospective doctors: they are desperately sought after and only in Switzerland and the USA are their salaries higher in a global comparison. Nevertheless, around a third of Luxembourg's medical students decide to stay abroad, mostly in the country where they studied. This was the result of a survey conducted by the Association of Luxembourg Medical Students (ALEM) in 2020, although according to the ALEM, it would actually be necessary to increase the number of doctors by a third by 2030 in order to maintain the quality of care despite rising population figures.

Since then, the Ministry of Health has introduced a number of measures to address the shortage. First and foremost is the new bachelor's degree programme in medicine at the University of Luxembourg. However, financial support for group practices and increased financial scholarships for prospective doctors are also intended to incentivise them to return to Luxembourg. Master's degree programmes in medicine are regularly discussed by the Minister of Health, Martine Deprez, but their implementation is a long time coming. Until then, all medical students will inevitably have to go abroad – which naturally raises the question: will I stay here?

Will these new incentives be enough to lure them back? Are they even the right measures? And what should the future of medical training look like if it wants to become attractive? Felix Minette, himself a fifth-year medical student in Heidelberg and President of the ALEM, has some answers to these questions. Last year, the organisation began evaluating a new edition of its survey, in which many of its 500 or so members recorded their concerns and wishes. Although the exact results are not yet ready for print, similar trends are emerging.