According to a study conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, there is considerable potential for relieving family doctors in their practices through better task distribution with practice staff. The analysis indicates that family doctors could save nearly two-thirds of their time by transferring specific tasks to qualified personnel, especially repetitive routine duties such as technical diagnostics from EKG to lung function tests, management of chronic patients, or wound care.

The experts argue that by implementing sensible and physician-supervised task sharing within the practice team, the existing shortage of family doctors—especially prevalent in rural areas—could be alleviated more rapidly than by simply training new physicians. Many of the required professionals are already qualified, while others could swiftly enhance their skills through further education or concurrent studies. This approach not only optimizes the workflow within medical practices but also addresses the urgent need for healthcare access in underserved regions.

The implications of the study suggest that healthcare systems could significantly benefit from rethinking task allocation, allowing family doctors to focus more on patient care rather than administrative and routine tasks. This could lead to improved job satisfaction for doctors, better patient outcomes, and ultimately a more efficient healthcare system. A proactive strategy in workforce management could ensure that patients receive timely care, particularly in areas facing challenges due to doctor shortages.