Skin doctor shortage in Saxony worsens significantly - Rural Germany's dermatology crisis leaves patients stranded and untreated
Dermatological care in rural Saxony is collapsing. Over the past eight years, key districts have seen dramatic declines in specialist availability. Patients now face longer waits, further travel and delayed treatment as the shortage deepens.
In 2016, the Löbau-Zittau district had a dermatological care ratio of 122 percent. Today, that figure has plunged to just 15 percent. Nearby Bautzen has also seen a steep drop, falling from 142 percent to 78 percent in the same period. The Annaberg district's ratio has more than halved, declining from 161 percent to 60 percent.
The crisis stems from an ageing workforce with too few replacements. Many rural practitioners are retiring, and younger doctors avoid setting up practices in shrinking communities. As depopulation continues, the appeal of country life diminishes further.
Low care ratios bring real consequences. Patients must travel long distances for appointments, wait months for consultations, and risk worsening conditions. Preventable diseases progress when early diagnoses are missed.
The problem extends beyond Saxony. Rural areas across eastern Germany now struggle with critically low dermatological provision. The shortage of office-based specialists shows no signs of easing.
Medical organisations are now stepping in to address the crisis. On February 24, the Professional Association of German Dermatologists and the German Dermatological Society will hold a joint virtual press conference. The meeting aims to explore solutions for reversing the decline in rural dermatological care.
