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Bertelsmann Study: Task-Sharing Could Close Germany’s GP Shortfall by 2030

The foundation argues upskilling existing practice assistants would relieve doctors far faster than training new GPs.

Overview

  • Germany’s GPs could free nearly two thirds of their time by delegating defined routine tasks to qualified non-physician staff, the study finds.
  • Modeling indicates about 12,000 specially trained practice assistants could offset the forecast 8,200 unfilled GP posts in 2030.
  • Transferable duties include technical diagnostics from EKG to lung function, ultrasound, wound care, chronic disease reviews, vaccinations and infusions.
  • The analysis compares two large team-based practices with conventional clinics and aligns with polling showing broad physician and public acceptance.
  • Authors say nationwide rollout depends on clear rules for liability, reimbursement and standardized training, with many candidates already in the system for rapid upskilling.