44 aspiring rural doctors begin medical studies - 44 Medical Students Begin Rural Doctor Quota in Lower Saxony to Combat Doctor Shortage
This winter semester, 44 medical students have embarked on their studies under the rural doctor quota in Lower Saxony. This initiative aims to tackle the region's doctor shortage, with 250 currently missing. The quota requires future physicians to commit to working as general practitioners in underserved rural areas for at least ten years, with a contractual penalty of up to €250,000 if they fail to do so.
The students are distributed across three universities: 18 in Hanover, 14 in Göttingen, and 12 in Oldenburg. Among them, 30 are women, 13 are men, and one person's gender is not specified. By the summer semester, an additional 15 spots in Göttingen will be allocated. Despite the quota's benefits, only one successful applicant from the current cohort has yet to enroll. Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) views the rural doctor quota as a vital solution to the Lower Saxony doctor deficit.
With 44 students now studying under the rural doctor quota, Lower Saxony hopes to address its significant doctor shortage. The quota's requirements and penalties aim to ensure that these future physicians fulfill their commitment to serving in underserved rural areas.
