Dermatological emergency: Why appointments are rare for health insurance patients!
Dermatological emergency: Why appointments are rare for health insurance patients!
What is happening in the Ostalbkreis? The lack of dermatologist really troubles people here. The number of skin cancer has risen sharply in recent years, and an overview of the treatment options for health insurance patients is anything but gratifying. In Aalen, for example, all health insurance dates for 2025 have already been awarded, as reported by the Swabian Post. This affects many, because the open consultation in the dermatologist practices already requires a transfer with urgency note from the family doctor, which also complicates the situation.
In the MVZ-Hautzentrum Schwäbisch Gmünd, it does not look better: new legally insured new patients are simply no longer absorbed. The dermatologist Dr. Sebastian Hock from the Aalen district medical profession indicates the insufficient number of specialists. While only 7 dermatologists are available in the Ostalb district for 321,000 inhabitants, this means 40,643 patients per doctor. One of the growing challenges in the region.
skin cancer in the rise
In fact, the challenges cannot be denied. As statistics show, hospital treatments due to skin cancer have increased by 75 % in the past 20 years. In 2021, 105,700 people were treated in hospital for skin cancer across Germany. The increase in light skin cancer is particularly worrying, with an increase of 114 % from 38,400 cases in 2001 to 821 in 2021. The proportion of skin cancer diagnoses in all cancer treatments has also increased, from 3.8 % to 7.4 %. Men who are responsible for 58 % of all inpatient treatments are particularly affected.According to skin cancer network, we constantly recognize that the numbers of diagnosed skin cancer have increased since 2005. The Barmer-Arzreport 2025 shows that the cases of malignant melanoma and non-melanotic skin cancer in particular rise. Since the introduction of skin cancer screening in 2008, there has been an initial increase in diagnoses that underlines the urgency of the situation. The focus is especially on the years from the late 1950s, while recent generations tend to deal with UV radiation more consciously.
urgent solutions required
The primary doctor system that the federal government brings into play could be a step in the right direction. Dr. Hock warns, however, that specialist dates should not be used too much and sees the need to relieve the general practitioners. These also carry out skin cancer screening, which could improve a lot.
April examination is advisable every two years for early detection. This examination can be particularly important for people over 35 because the risk of developing skin cancer can increase. Let us consider that the population in Germany has grown only by 2 % in the past 20 years, but the number of cases explodes.
The problems are clear and the numbers speak for themselves. The pressure on the dermatologist practices increases, while the possibilities of getting an appointment. We are required to find solutions to protect the health of the population and not leave the chanceless patients alone.
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| Ort | Ostalbkreis, Deutschland |
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