Demand from the Greens: Physiotherapist only with a degree? - The head of a vocational school sees disaster

In future it should only be possible to become a physiotherapist with a bachelor's degree.

Hubert Döpfer, head of the vocational schools of the same name, warns of the consequences.

Regensburg - "In the coalition negotiations we are just a plaything, unimportant bargaining chip," complains Hubert Döpfer.

The sponsor of the Döpfer Schools of the same name warns of an increasing shortage of skilled workers, but also of massive job losses, in view of the possible full academicization of therapeutic professions.

Physical Therapy Education Plans: Bachelor's degree is expected to become the standard

Physio, occupational and logotherapists are currently being trained primarily at vocational schools. Around 53,000 pupils are trained at almost 1,000 vocational schools across Germany. 4,000 of them at the Döpfer schools founded in 1992 in Schwandorf * with several locations throughout Germany *, including Regensburg *. Döpfer employs almost 800 people at his schools and private universities.

But if the Greens * in the Bundestag have their way, it could soon be over.

They demand a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for access to the therapeutic occupation and, with this requirement, are also in line with the majority of professional associations, who expect this to increase the attractiveness of the profession, better pay and opportunities for advancement.

Within the EU, Germany is the only country in which the academization of therapeutic professions is not the standard.

Plans for physiotherapy training: Those who do not have a high school diploma are unlucky

For Döpfer, this point of view does not go far enough.

“Only a third of our students have a high school diploma.

With full academicization, two thirds of the students would be denied access to the therapeutic profession in the future, or at least made more difficult. "

The entrepreneur points out that "the high level of our practice-oriented training" is recognized throughout Europe.

Physiotherapists trained in Germany would be employed in other EU countries at the same level as their colleagues with a degree.

Numerous schoolgirls from Austria and South Tyrol would attend vocational schools in Germany in order to be able to work as therapists.

There are also inquiries from France.

Physiotherapists: Studies hardly play a role in payment

In terms of payment, it hardly matters whether a physiotherapist comes from vocational school or whether he has a bachelor's or master's degree.

90 to 95 percent of physiotherapists work in practices, according to Döpfer.

"There, the remuneration of the health insurance companies is based on the prescriptions, not on the academic or non-academic level of the therapist."

In view of the shortage of skilled workers, the graduates currently have "free choice" of jobs, and the salaries and remuneration of the health insurance companies have therefore increased significantly in recent years.

“Our schools are full.

Let me say quite arrogantly: If things went on like this and we were allowed to expand our capacities a little, then we could fix the shortage of specialists in therapy in five years. "

Döpfer boss on academization plans: "We don't need more chiefs than Indians."

Döpfer also considers an academization rate of ten to twenty in the therapy area to be sensible.

But nothing more.

“We don't need more chiefs than Indians.

But when we have full academization, there will only be chiefs. "

Should the academization, which is currently the subject of the coalition negotiations, come anyway, Döpfer sees a “medium-sized catastrophe” approaching his schools.

“I would have to close several locations.” In view of this, up to 20,000 jobs at vocational schools are threatened nationwide.

"In principle it's a scandal and I don't understand why hardly anyone cares."

Front against academization plans: "The voices from the practices are neglected."

Döpfer cannot understand that a large part of the professional associations are still in favor of full academicization in the field of therapy.

"I would assume that the majority of the association representatives are employed in state or municipal clinics, where a university degree actually plays a role in the remuneration." But the majority of the therapists work in the practices.

“You don't have that much time to get involved in the association.

That is why these voices are neglected there. "

With other vocational schools, medical practices and some professional associations, Döpfer recently set up an “Alliance for Health Professions” in order to oppose the academization plans, but also to achieve an amendment to the training ordinance.

"There is a lot that could be done to make the job more attractive."

Döpfer boss: "Many don't even know the difference between vocational school, vocational high school and vocational school"

However, Döpfer does not seem to have much hope that these voices will be heard.

“We noticed that many of the politicians we invited didn't even know what the difference is between vocational school, vocational high school and vocational school.

If no one knows that, but is supposed to decide now about the future of the vocational schools, then that gives me little hope. ”Although the FDP is one of the opponents of full academicization in the coalition negotiations, Döpfer said:“ I trust Christian Lindner easily admitted that he says: If we don't get any inheritance or wealth tax for it, we'll just give it

. ”

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