The shortage of GPs is finally over. Almost.

The spectre of a shortage of general practitioners has been haunting the Swiss healthcare system for years and regularly causes great concern among both service providers and patients. However, recent developments show encouraging prospects that could close this looming gap in medical care.

The mainstay of the Swiss healthcare system

General practitioners and paediatricians form the backbone of the Swiss healthcare system, and indeed of Swiss society as a whole. They are the first point of contact for 94% of medical cases and solve the vast majority of these cases. Nevertheless, their numbers have been insufficient for years. The majority of general practitioners are about to retire and there has long been a lack of new blood. However, according to the ‘Workforce 2020’ study on general practitioners and paediatricians in Switzerland, the situation appears to be gradually improving as the profession is rejuvenating. This trend should significantly reduce tensions in the healthcare system by 2040.

How Switzerland is fighting the shortage of GPs thanks to the younger generation

The proportion of GPs under the age of 50 has risen steadily since 2010, from 25% to 34%. There are three main reasons for this trend:

• More study places
• Greater attractiveness of the profession of general practitioner and paediatrician
• New, more flexible working and practice models

In 2019, Swiss universities graduated 1,089 students in human medicine. However, this is still not enough. In fact, around 1,000 additional doctors are needed over a 10-year period to make up the shortfall. The federal government, the cantons and swissuniversities are working together to increase the number of medical training places to 1,350 per year by 2025.

In 2016, the Federal Council had already made the promotion of training in human medicine a priority in its FRI (Education, Research and Innovation) 2017-2020 message. An envelope of CHF 100 million was released for special funding focused on specific projects. According to the Workforce study, the first positive results are beginning to emerge.

These policy measures are being accompanied by changes in working patterns. Part-time models are now more in demand than ever, making it easier to reconcile work and family life. What’s more, the trend towards telemedicine and video consultations is also lightening doctors’ workloads and increasing their satisfaction.

So the situation is still evolving, but we’re keeping an optimistic eye on future developments!