FHL President Dr Philippe Turk spoke to RTL Radio about the pressing need for healthcare reforms, including enhanced digitalisation and improved training pathways for medical professionals.
On Wednesday morning, Dr Philippe Turk, President of the Luxembourg Hospital Federation (FHL), discussed healthcare challenges, hospital staffing, and Healthcare Week with our colleagues from RTL Radio.
Dr Turk emphasised that a master's programme in medicine at the University of Luxembourg alone will not address the sector's resource shortage. He stressed the need for developing transnational pathways for the education of doctors and nurses.
According to Dr Turk, solving the issue of personnel resources requires more than national efforts. Even if the University of Luxembourg were to offer a master's in medicine, it would not be enough to meet the demand, he noted. However, such a programme would enhance the system's appeal, which the FHL supports. The Federation advocates for collaboration among individual hospitals in the training of medical professionals rather than the creation of a single university hospital.
Clarification needed for medical students' status
Dr Turk also highlighted the need for clearer regulations regarding the status of medical students and the doctors who mentor them. Currently, there is a lack of cohesion, with students studying abroad often unsure of whom to contact when seeking to work in Luxembourg.
The FHL also supports improvements in working conditions for medical students. A recent report on online news website Reporter.lu shed light on long working hours and shifts of up to 20 hours for those in training.
Enhancing efficiency through digitalisation
Dr Turk acknowledged that Luxembourg's healthcare system is unlikely to see a significant increase in resources in the near future. To ensure adequate healthcare and improve efficiency, he is optimistic about the potential of digitalisation. Currently, staff are burdened with extensive administrative tasks, and Dr Turk hopes that digitalisation can help free up more time for patient care.
While progress has been made in this area, Dr Turk noted that a major challenge remains in achieving seamless digital communication between hospitals and other sectors of healthcare. He welcomed recent legislative efforts to overhaul the digital patient file system as a positive step forward.
Dr Turk also praised the generally strong relationship with Minister of Health Martine Deprez, noting that they largely agree on the needs of the Luxembourg healthcare system.
Healthcare Week: A European perspective on health policy
In three weeks, the FHL will host the second edition of "Healthcare Week," a conference series aimed at discussing ways to better synchronise healthcare systems across the Greater Region. The event will bring together professionals from the healthcare sector to explore collaborative approaches for shaping the future of healthcare for approximately 12 million people, according to Dr Turk.
