Medical community demands EU strategy for the health workforce

Brussels, 18.02.2025 – Today the German Medical Association (BÄK) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) invited representatives from the European Parliament, European Commission, and the medical profession to discuss solutions for the European health workforce shortage in an event titled “Health Workforce Shortages in Europe – Mapping the Way Forward.” The event took place as part of the “Morning Rounds” series, hosted by the two organisations.

The background to this event is that healthcare in most EU countries is suffering from an acute workforce shortage, which is being exacerbated by demographic developments. The BÄK and KBV demand that the European Union (EU) develop a European strategy for the health workforce.

During the event BÄK president Dr Klaus Reinhardt and the deputy chairman of the KBV Dr Stephan Hofmeister emphasised the need for the EU and its member states to approach this issue in a structured and comprehensive manner while within the framework of their respective competencies.

The new EU Commission’s announcements have lacked indications of a comprehensive approach. Both the BÄK and KBV stressed that such an approach should include professional mobility, the educational capacities of the member states, safe and attractive working conditions, as well as support for professionals regarding digital transformation.

At the beginning of the event, Dr Reinhardt clarified that: “The EU should facilitate professional mobility. But it should not limit itself to this single approach to support the health workforce.” He also stated that professional migration to the EU can lead to brain drain in the country of origin. “Member States should not overly rely on attracting a foreign workforce but assume their responsibility to train a sufficient number of healthcare professionals to cater to their own demand.”

The consensus of the event was that the digitalisation of healthcare can facilitate a more efficient usage of scarce resources. Hofmeister emphasised: “The digitalisation of healthcare offers many opportunities to make work in healthcare more efficient. However, for this we need tools, which function reliably and are geared towards the practical needs of the workforce. European recommendations and standards, for example regarding a European digital patient file, are essential to involve the expertise of local healthcare professionals.”

The BÄK and KBV affirmed the special responsibility of the EU and its legislative competence for the protection of workers and working conditions. In this regard, the EU could ensure an important contribution for the provision of attractive workplaces in healthcare and while stimulating the interest of new entrants in the nursing and medical professions.