Searching for solutions

Waiting for doctor’s appointments: Situation continues to worsen

Waiting times for medical appointments are getting longer and longer.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Roman)

Carinthian politicians are calling for more study places to further secure medical care. Waiting times for an appointment are already reaching unpleasant dimensions. 

Anyone who has recently tried to get an appointment with a dermatologist or ophthalmologist with health insurance will be familiar with the problem: waiting times of six months or more are not uncommon, and for new patients it can take up to a year.

But what is the problem and how can it be solved? When it comes to responsibility, people like to pass the ball back and forth. One approach would be to enable more young people to train. "I have been warning for more than ten years that we are not training enough doctors," emphasizes SP state councillor Beate Prettner, but makes it clear that all of Carinthia's medical practice positions are filled.

"Team Carinthia" leader Gerhard Köfer wants to evaluate the number of study places and access restrictions, pointing out a particular risk: "There will be a wave of retirements in the next few years, which will hit Carinthia particularly hard." This will further exacerbate the shortage of medical specialists.