The doctor's profession is exhausting and involves many different activities. For a long time, there have been discussions about how doctors can be supported by other specialists. One solution: help from so-called physician assistants. The profession, which exist much longer, for example, in the USA, involves various activities normally carried out by doctors. Doctors are thus relieved, patients can be better looked after. The German Medical Assembly (Deutscher Ärztetag) has now approved this concept in Germany.
Dr. Blum, what does it presently entail to become a physician assistant?
Dr. Karl Blum: There are currently eight universities in Germany that offer this type of education and professional development. Some universities have several campus locations. Generally, this professional qualification is offered as continuing education courses, meaning as an additional qualification. That is to say, admission requirements entail a completed training in a health care profession. In some instances, it even specifies that qualification must be obtained in the "health care" field. There are two universities that also offer direct entry programs, meaning you don’t require any prior completed training qualification. However, this alternative was recently rejected by the German Medical Assembly (Deutscher Ärztetag). It remains to be seen how things will progress in this case. ...
Read the complete interview with Dr. Karl Blum at MEDICA-tradefair.com!