Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora, Dean of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty attended a seminar titled “Austrian Health System and Role of the Austrian Doctors’ Union”. The seminar was organized by the Turkish Cypriot Doctors Union as a part of “Medicine Week”. It included discussions about the possible increase of doctors in Europe and the doctor-patient ratio in Austria, a country regarded as having one of the best health systems in Europe.
Assistant Head of the Austrian Doctors’ Union Dr. Karl Forstner noted that there are currently 44002 doctors working in Austria producing a ratio of 5 doctors for every 1000 patients. Prof. Dr. Gökçora noted that this ratio is very low in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. According to the official information provided by the head of the Doctors’ Union, the ratio is 2.11 doctors for every 1000 patients.
Dr. Karl Forstner stated that 11 thousand 576 of the Austrian doctors work in the private sector, 17 thousand 615 work in the public sector and 6 thousand 338 work in both. 6 thousand 315 doctors are currently completing their education. Dr. Forstner went on to note that that apart from practitioners, Austrian medicine students complete their education in 72 months. Students learn the fundamentals in their first nine months before separating into groups depending on their area of expertise.
Dr. Forstner went on to talk about the Austrian health expenditures between 1997 and 2014, noting that it reached 36.2 billion Euros. Dr. Forstner also talked about the structure and role of the Austrian Doctors’ Union. After graduation, doctors must collect 250 points by attending activities like scientific congresses. Doctors who do not collect 250 points have their membership cancelled, stopping them from carrying out their duties. Prof. Gökçora invited Dr. Forstner to EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty and stated that the seminar was informative and useful.
