[Development and consequences of physician shortages in Bavaria].

AIM: Germany's growing shortage of doctors is a current topic of numerous discussions in healthcare policy. The objective of this study is to show the medical supply situation and migratory movement of doctors in the outpatient and inpatient physician care sector, with particular emphasis on the immigration of foreign doctors to Germany and its consequences.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The annual statistical reports from the Bavarian Medical Association and the Federal Medical Association were investigated with regard to foreign doctors and migratory movements. To establish Bavaria's situation regarding outpatient physician care, unpublished case reports and planning sheets of the Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Bavaria (KVB) were analysed. A survey amongst Bavarian hospitals shows the current situation of the inpatient care sector.

RESULTS: The trend of emigration by German doctors continues unabated, especially to Switzerland, UK, USA and Austria. In Bavaria, outpatient care by GPs or specialists is still standard or in oversupply. However, the survey was able to confirm a considerable lack of doctors for inpatient care. So far, it has been possible to compensate existing staff shortages in hospitals by employing foreign doctors, despite significant language deficits.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: To resolve the shortage of doctors in future, a reform of the Medical Requirements Planning in combination with structural improvements and measures to integrate immigrant doctors is essential.