The inter-university symposium "Perspektive Allgemeinmedizin" for students offers a comprehensive and varied insight into the work of general practitioners.
Archive image. Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
Preparation for working as a doctor in a modern GP practice was the focus of the symposium "Perspectives in General Practice" held last Saturday at the Lower Saxony Medical Association (ÄKN). The joint event organized by the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), the University Medical Center Oldenburg (UMO) and the ÄKN was aimed at students of Human medicine at the three universities in Lower Saxony. The lectures, workshops and discussion rounds by and with experienced GPs will cover topics such as digitalization in GP practices, emergencies in outpatient care and other relevant topics. In addition to the rural doctor quota, the symposium is a further measure to strengthen future GP care in Lower Saxony.
Dr. med. Andreas Philippi, Lower Saxony's Minister for Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality: "Regional care is one of the central tasks for the future, especially for large states like Lower Saxony: Because we want all people - even in rural regions - to be able to continue to count on reliable care. I am therefore delighted that, together with the Medical Association, KVN, the General Practitioners' Association, the medical universities and the SHI, we have succeeded in launching a 10-point action plan that will sustainably strengthen outpatient care in Lower Saxony."
Falko Mohrs, Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture: "The rural doctor quota is a success story. Since 2023, it has opened up the path to general practice for committed people and sustainably strengthened care in rural areas. Anyone studying medicine in Lower Saxony will find excellent conditions: In Oldenburg, we have made it possible to increase the number of first-year medical student places to 200, while new, state-of-the-art learning and research environments are being built in Hanover and Göttingen. In this way, we are laying the foundations for reliable GP care throughout Lower Saxony."
Dr. med. Marion Renneberg, GP in private practice and Deputy President of the Lower Saxony Medical Association: "The dynamic that has developed from the rural doctor quota in recent years is a prime example of successful cooperation between all the institutions involved. Although we are still a long way from reaching our goal and must also find appropriate ways for other specialties with a high demand for young doctors, this symposium and the rural doctor quota clearly show what an important contribution joint initiatives can make to securing medical care. As the Lower Saxony Medical Association, we are very pleased with the high level of interest and commitment shown by our young, future colleagues."
Prof. Dr. Nils Schneider, Director of the Institute of General Medicine and Palliative Medicine at Hannover Medical School (MHH): "The rural doctor students are a great asset. We experience them as highly motivated students who are very interested in the medical profession and show a great deal of empathy for patients. This also has a positive effect on other students and increases overall interest in general practice and working as a GP. Our next step is to set up a structured mentoring program to provide students with even better support throughout their studies."
Rural doctor quota: online application from January 1, 2026
The next application process for the so-called rural doctor quota in Lower Saxony will start from the New Year. For the winter semester 2026/27 and the summer semester 2027, a total of 60 medical study places will be reserved for students who decide to work as GPs in rural areas. These students commit to working in a GP practice in a rural area for a period of 10 years after completing their studies and subsequent further training.
Applications can be submitted online from January 1 to 31, 2026 via the website of the Lower Saxony Association for the Licensing of General Practitioners (NiZzA).
About the Medical Association of Lower Saxony
The Lower Saxony Medical Association is the professional representation of the approximately 47,000 physicians in the state of Lower Saxony. It performs public tasks in the healthcare system in self-administration and at the same time fulfills state tasks assigned to it in accordance with instructions. It is also committed to high-quality continuing medical education and training and supervises the training of medical assistants.
Text: Niko Gerdau/ÄKN