Infectiologists and internists sharply criticize the Saxon State Medical Association's rejection of specialists

16.11.2022 12:34

At the beginning of November, the Saxon State Medical Association (SLÄK) rejected the introduction of a specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases in the state of Saxony. This makes it the only state medical association alongside Brandenburg that rejects specialist-level specialization for infectiologists. In 2021, the German Medical Association decided to introduce specialist training in “internal medicine and infectiology” nationwide - in view of the complexity of the subject and the major current and future challenges in infectious medicine. The German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM), the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI) and the Professional Association of German Internists (BDI) sharply criticize the SLÄK's decision: The decision is a setback for infectious disease medicine in Saxony and worsens professional health prospects for young doctors in the state and also entails financial disadvantages for the clinics there.

Infectious medicine actually has a long and important tradition in Saxony: Saxony is the only federal state to have its own vaccination commission; In addition, several centers in Leipzig and Dresden have an excellent reputation in infectious medicine beyond the state. “The SLÄK’s current decision is all the more astonishing because it will weaken these locations sustainably and in the long term,” says Professor Dr. med. Bernd Salzberger, Chairman of the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI).

For decades, training in infectious diseases only consisted of a one-year additional qualification. “The decision to become a specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases has finally taken into account the complexity of the subject and at the same time significantly improved the career and research opportunities for young doctors in infectious diseases,” says Dr. med. Jenny Bischoff, spokesperson for the Young DGI section. “We fear that young doctors who are interested in infectious medicine will tend to avoid Saxony and Brandenburg and choose a federal state where they can receive recognized training,” adds Dr. med. Anahita Fathi, spokesperson for the AG Junge DGIM, who works at the Center for Internal Medicine at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf in the Infectious Diseases Section of the I Medical Clinic. Professor Dr. med. Christoph Lübbert, head of the Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department at the Department of Internal Medicine at Leipzig University Hospital, confirms this fear. Doctors have already contacted him who are worried about whether they can continue their specialist training in infectious diseases in Saxony and are already considering a change of location.

In addition, the Saxon State Medical Association's decision is also causing financial disadvantages for the clinics: "Without a specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Saxon hospitals will be denied extensive funding that was actually planned for the next three years from January 1, 2023," says Salzberger .

For many years, DGI, DGIM and BDI have been committed to raising the training of infectiologists to specialist level in internal medicine. “Challenges in infectious medicine have existed and continue to exist far beyond the current pandemic,” says Christine Neumann-Grutzeck, President of the Professional Association of German Internists. As examples, she cites the increase in antibiotic resistance, the treatment of complicated and serious infections, such as hospital infections, but also climate changes and increased migration and travel, which promote the spread of pathogens that were previously less widespread here.

“We call on the SLÄK to revise its current decision and to ensure sustainable and needs-based care for patients with infectious diseases in Saxony,” also demands DGIM Chairman Professor Dr. med. Ulf Müller-Ladner.