Denmark’s boosts specialist doctor numbers with new training plan

Denmark will train a record number of specialist doctors from next year to address the current significant shortage and future challenges. Doctors' unions are calling for a more in-depth analysis for each medical speciality.

In a new specialist training capacity plan for 2026-2030, the Danish Health Authority is increasing its provision of medical training programmes for doctors. The decision is also in line with the ongoing, major Danish healthcare reform.

"In the coming years, we will be training a record number of specialised doctors, and this will contribute to better doctor coverage across the country and a better balance between the number of doctors and patients' treatment needs," Sophie Løhde, Minister of the Interior and Health, recently stated.

Growing demands, rising shortages

Overall, there is a shortage of 2,000 specialists in hospitals, general practices and various specialised medical practices in Denmark.

"This is a huge number when you consider that there are only around 17,500 specialists working in Denmark today," Camilla Rathcke, President of the Danish Medical Association, told Euractiv.

Psychiatry and especially child and adolescent psychiatry are hardest hit, she added.

As in many European countries, Denmark will require more doctors because of a growing and ageing population. This means that an increasing number of patients with complex health issues and treatment requirements are expected, including those with chronic conditions. Somatic disorders, but also mental health issues, are on the rise in Denmark.

The ongoing healthcare reform is also aiming to meet patients' demand for specialists more quickly and in locations closer to their homes. And will also keep pace with the fact that more diseases will be treatable in the future.

Thousands needed

All of this, as well as the demand for more equal treatment, now fuels the need for more specialised doctors.

According to the Danish Health Authority's latest prognosis, in 25 years from now (2050), a total of about 30,000 medical specialists will be needed.

The new plan means that, as early as next year, up to 1,270 students will be able to start training to become medical specialists; the highest number ever for a single year, according to the Ministry of Interior and Health.

The Danish Medical Association is pleased that an additional 100 medical specialist training courses will be allocated annually, compared to the 2023 plan.

In-depth analysis still needed

However, the doctors call for a deeper analysis of the situation in each speciality, according to Camilla Rathcke.

"It's no secret that we have been asking for a real analysis of the demand for several years and are still asking for one that compares the increasing need for treatment and the number of specialists in each of the specialities. We still need to do that, but this dimensioning plan is a good step on the way."

The increase in training opportunities will be particularly focused on general practice to support the long-term goal of training at least 5,000 general practitioners by 2035.

More training courses will also be based outside the major cities, for example, at smaller emergency hospitals, to strengthen the medical resources in the countryside.

[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]