Elgin Drda, Vice-Rector & Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Johannes Kepler University Linz, talks about research accomplishments, the importance of university medicine, general practitioners and their role, and subject of available spots in the medical degree program.

What does university medicine actually mean?
VR Elgin Drda: University medicine is defined as the utmost expert authority. A university hospital treats very complex and difficult cases. University medicine is always research-driven and the most recent scientific findings are applied directly to patient care.

Why does the medical degree program in Linz focus on general medicine?
VR Elgin Drda: When it comes to physical or mental health ailments, most people seek out a general practitioner first. They represent the cornerstone of medical care. Current statistics show that the number of general practitioners in private practice in Upper Austria is rising. Some 65 general practitioners, among them many young physicians, are currently contributing to the medical degree program at the JKU.

What can the Faculty of Medicine do to address the current shortage of physicians?
VR Elgin Drda: Above all, Austria faces a dispersion issue and universities cannot solve this problem. However, the ongoing discussion demonstrates just how important it was to create the Faculty of Medicine 9 years ago and ensure the education and availability of qualified physicians. This is one of the most important things that universities could contribute to the situation. Right now, we have 310 med students enrolled in their first year of med school at the JKU. By 2025, this number will increase to 330 annually. A substantial boost in the number of students in the program now could compromise the program’s high level of quality.

How can doctors lighten a teaching hospital’s workload?
VR Elgin Drda: We need to consistently reinforce a staggered care system. Regional hospitals in Upper Austrian are doing an outstanding job. The Upper Austrian approach to support physician centers and PHCs (Primary Health Care) can alleviate the burden in the outpatient sector. The keywords for the future here is efficient patient management.