Everyday work in practice would be unthinkable without medical professionals. Especially in times of pandemic, they are an important pillar without which the healthcare system in Germany would not function. Although MFAs are so important, many complain of a lack of appreciation. Because not even the federal government wants to pay these undoubtedly systemically important personnel a corona bonus for their outstanding efforts.
Medical professionals are working at the limit
The day-to-day work of an MFA has always been stressful. The telephone rings almost continuously while patients want to be served at the reception desk, while the doctor also has an important issue that must be dealt with immediately. Medical professionals must therefore complete many tasks synchronously and under enormous time pressure. Even before Corona, this wasn't an easy job.
But in view of the pandemic, the situation in German medical practices has worsened even further. After all, around 13 out of 14 corona patients are being treated in practices. In addition to their regular tasks, MFAs must therefore also answer urgent questions from patients, such as quarantine regulations, which change frequently. They themselves are subject to constantly changing testing and vaccination rules. In addition, they have a high risk of becoming infected and must also enforce state hygiene rules, which not every patient understands.
This is compounded by the chaos of documentation: the formalities are also constantly changing. A good example is billing for the corona test. The forms and codes for this are constantly updated.
Study shows heavy workload in practice management
A study by Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf also confirms that the stress level for medical professionals is very high. The scientists interviewed around 900 MFAs regarding their psychosocial working conditions. The result: The workload and stress that MFAs are exposed to in their everyday working life is disproportionately high. Three out of four medical professionals say that the effort they put into their work is higher than the rewards they face.
This (financial) disdain for MFAs is proven: They earn an average of around 2,000 to 2,800 euros per month. With continuing education, they can earn 3,900 euros. But this is a low wage in view of the workload, overtime and, in some cases, shift work.
No corona bonus for medical professionals
Many MFAs therefore feel that their important work is not sufficiently appreciated. But the federal government's announcement that it will not pay a corona premium to medical professionals has now caused the keg to overflow. Nurses in hospitals, on the other hand, are rewarded with a bonus for their efforts.
This is a slap in the face of many medical professionals. At the end of 2021, numerous MFAs therefore handed over letters with personal accounts of their everyday working life to the Federal Ministry of Health in a protest campaign. They are supported in their efforts by many associations. For example, the President of the Federal Medical Association of Bremen is also on the side of MFAs:
MFAs send letters of protest to the federal government
The Association of Medical Professions e. V. has some of these Letters of protest on his website published anonymously. Some of the experiences described are very personal and testify to how the workload — and the lack of appreciation for it — can affect the psychological substance.
Too little pay due to too much overtime
Many MFAs feel disadvantaged and underpaid compared to nurses. In addition, there is the enormous number of overtime hours. An MFA writes about this in its letter of protest:
“We MFA now work up to 14 hours a day without breaks for a pittance!!!! Nurses and geriatric care workers earn almost 3 times what I do and are emphasized more than MFA. ”
High risk of infection and endless bureaucracy
In particular, the constantly changing requirements of the Federal Government regarding hygiene measures are very burdensome for MFAs. Especially when the appropriate materials are not available in sufficient quantities, as a medical assistant writes:
“It is we who have the first contacts with most infected people. New regulations every day. Protective clothing was sparse. Compromises, vaccinations everything must be organized. Bureaucracy without end. ”
MFAs at the psychological stress limit
Long-standing employees also turn to the Federal Ministry of Health for help. This is because the influx of patients is so high that MFAs can only cope with it under high emotional stress:
“Dear government, Mr. Lauterbach, I have been an MFA for 24 years. I love my job and have never looked back. But this situation is really too much. We are 3 MFAs with 2 doctors, daily infection consultation with up to 40 patients [...]. Over 2000 pat. per quarter, Saturday vaccination campaign 500 pat., 200 calls daily is nothing + email contact. Sometimes I cry as early as 9:00 because I can't anymore. ”
Take the pressure off your MFA
It's very clear: Things can't go on like this. Medical professionals deserve more recognition — both socially and financially. In addition, stress levels must be reduced in the long term. After all, a practice cannot function without a medical assistant. Due to the heavy workload, there is already an acute shortage of personnel. At the same time, the job is very unattractive for young people under these conditions, which will exacerbate staff shortages in the future. It is therefore all the more important for you as a doctor to make everyday working life as pleasant as possible for your MFA.
Therefore, take good care of the backbone of your practice. Always treat your employees with appreciation and respect. Show again and again how satisfied you are with your work. Also, try to reduce the workload of your MFAs wherever possible. There are many software solutions that specialize in making everyday work easier for your MFAs.
Nelly as an assistant for your assistance
For example, the software solution from Nelly can save your medical assistant 90 minutes — every day. This is possible thanks to innovative patient admission via QR code. Your patients do not need an external tablet and do not need to download an app. All you need is your smartphone. Your MFA does not have to print out the medical history form, scan it afterwards or shred it after a certain period of time.
Simplify the lives of your healthcare professionals
Make the stressful day-to-day work of your MFA a bit easier. Make sure that your practice remains manageable even under the onslaught of patients. And above all: Make your MFA happy so that they will continue to enjoy working in your practice in the future. Wir advise you without obligation and free of charge to your individual case!
The personal names used in this article always refer equally to all persons. Dual naming and alternate names are omitted in order to improve readability.
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