Universities press Switzerland to train more doctors

Swiss universities are urging the federal government and cantons to fund more medical study and hospital training places to address the doctor shortage, SRF reports. In a report earlier this year, they called for a new programme to increase both.

The number of doctors has risen in recent years, but not enough to meet demand. Switzerland’s population is growing and ageing, while many doctors are approaching retirement. Training takes time, and funding is limited for the federal government, cantons and hospitals.

Switzerland also restricts medical school places for cost reasons, and applicants must pass an admissions test. As a result, the country trains too few doctors and depends on professionals from abroad, who now make up almost half of its medical workforce. Many younger doctors also work part-time to balance their jobs and private lives. On average, one in seven women and one in eight men leave the profession within their first five years.

Universities have proposed increasing places in medical education and hospital training, as well as adding further training places in hospitals and medical practices. They also want the admissions test to assess social and communication skills alongside intellectual ability. Political efforts include training more specialists in internal medicine and family doctors, who can address 90 per cent of people’s health concerns. Shortages of paediatricians and child and adolescent psychiatrists have also persisted for years.

Overall, healthcare provision in Switzerland remains good, though patients wait longer than they did 20 years ago and some regions face greater shortages than urban centres. Current discussions could help shift care towards integrated services, such as health centres bringing together doctors and therapists.