Luxembourg currently does not have enough doctors to serve its population, a situation which could be worsened as current doctors retire. Nearly half of all doctors in the country are over the age of 55.
The University of Luxembourg discussed the issue at its Luxembourg Healthcare System Day amongst other issues. One of the measures the university is introducing to promote the career of doctor is a three-year bachelor in medicine.
The university's medical education director, Professor Gilbert Massard, told the audience he hoped that a corresponding law presented earlier this year would be passed in the Chamber of Deputies. This would allow the university to offer the bachelor programme and potentially even offer specialisation.
However, the Luxembourg Association of Medical Students (ALEM) wants the university to go further. Its president Frédéric Schwarz called for the university to offer graduate education in medicine.
The conference on Saturday morning saw more demands proposed. The president of the Doctors and Dentists Association (AMMD), Alain Schmit, appealed to politicians to adapt to digitisation and other technologies.
Participants at the conference were disappointed that Minister of Health Etienne Schneider had to cancel his attendance at short notice. Nevertheless, those in the sector are pleased that Schneider has taken a stance on the issue and vowed to help encourage people to become doctors. His predecessor had not prioritised the issue.
