This means that medical students will now get a chance to specialise in one of three fields here in the Grand Duchy. The change aims at strengthening national research and help fight further shortages in the health care sector.
Prof Gilbert Massard, who is in charge of medical training at the University, commented: “The idea is to link both specialisation and research. We are already doing extensive work in the fields of neuroscience and oncology, so it made sense to include those in the new programmes.”
To guarantee a practice-oriented course, the university works closely with practitioners in the field. While the general medicine programme lasts four years, the other two take five. One year in each programme is reserved for research only.
Future programmes may also be oriented alongside national research interests, while others may evolve out of necessity, Prof Massard further explained: “On the one hand, we know that the field of occupational medicine is short on people, with only about half of positions currently filled. On the other, the Covid-19 pandemic has once more underlined that we need more people in our psychiatric institutions.”
From a demographical perspective, Luxembourg’s health care sector is expected to face challenges in the near future, with half of the country’s doctors currently being over the age of 55. On top of that, it is known that many Luxembourgish medical students are tempted to stay abroad after their studies.
The new programmes at the University of Luxembourg will be held in German and French. Applications for one of 25 available spots in general medicine, or one of five in each of the other fields, can still be filed until mid June. Further information around the courses can be found on the university website.
