We feel the shortage of doctors - despite 69% more doctors in Switzerland than in the year 2000.

According to the Association of Swiss Doctors FMH, the number of doctors increased from 1990 (20,030) to 2000 (25,216) by 5,186. The growth in the following 10 years (2000-2010) was about the same magnitude (5,057), but experienced a strong increase in the following years between 2010 and 2020: during this time, the number rose by 8,229. On the one hand, the doctor density per inhabitant is increasing. Likewise, the workload is decreasing and in 2024 averaged 8.6 half-days per week (1 half-day = 4-6 hours); 10 years earlier it was still 8.9 half-days per week. At the same time, working hours also changed: the legal maximum working time for assistant and senior doctors is 50 hours per week. For example, the Institute of Intensive Care Medicine at the University Hospital Zurich introduced a 42-hour week for patient care plus 4 hours for further training.