Schneider’s response revealed that there were 1,780 doctors in Luxembourg by the end of 2017, of which a third a are general practitioners. In terms of the age breakdown of the doctors, Schneider explained that the largest demographic of doctors is aged 55 and above, making up 44% of Luxembourg’s doctors.
Conversely, only 4% of doctors are younger than 35. The minister explained that is no data on when doctors retire, as there is no legal retirement age in the profession. However, the minister is working on getting viable data through a study which encompasses the entire health sector.
The study will first of all evaluate the sector’s resources in a qualitative manner to determine which medical areas require improvement, as they may not be covered. Then, the study will take the form of a quantitative examination in hospitals and general practices. This second part of the study will take place in 2019 and the results will be published.
Finally, the national monitoring centre on health (Observatoire national de la Santé) will examine the results of the study in order to recommend new measures.
