Esslingen Clinic: Criticism of Focus” list of top doctors!

Esslingen Clinic: Criticism of Focus” list of top doctors!

The annual list of top doctors, published by FOCUS, is once again criticized. The Esslingen Hospital has decided to distance itself from this certificate and is thereby sending an important signal in the debate about the significance of such rankings. The list, which has been criticized for years, is not considered meaningful, while the focus is on emphasizing the human element in choosing a doctor.

The discussion about the suitability of the lists is particularly relevant when considering how important good doctors are to patients' health. The shortage of doctors poses additional challenges for medical care, particularly in rural areas. Some doctors from the Esslingen district were also listed in the current FOCUS list, which further raises the question of the value of the seal.

Doctor visits and their importance

How FOCUS health explains, doctor's visits are crucial for the health of patients. Patients are specifically looking for doctors with excellent qualifications and a good reputation. There are higher demands on the expertise of doctors, which also justifies longer journeys. The 2025 recommendations include outstanding specialists in 126 specialties to ensure better medical care and make it easier to find a doctor.

However, these rankings should not be viewed in isolation. Medical and nursing care is a cornerstone of public services. Regardless of where they live, citizens expect high-quality healthcare services. However, this is often not the case in rural areas. Medical facilities are significantly less common there than in urban centers. Low population densities often lead to long journeys, especially for specialized care.

Challenges in rural areas

The Federal Agency for Civic Education highlights that the need for medical care in rural areas is high. While in many cities there are enough doctors per capita, the picture in rural areas is completely different. People often do not have ready access to specialized care, such as geriatrics and pediatrics. This means that children and older people living in remote areas are less likely to receive necessary medical care.

People in rural areas often search in vain for pediatricians or specialists; Data shows that in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania over 10,500 children live more than 20 kilometers from the nearest pediatrician. This discrepancy must be addressed to ensure equal medical care.

The discussion about innovative care concepts is becoming more and more urgent. Concepts such as the division of labor between different health professions, cooperation between practices and telemedicine services could offer solutions to close the existing gaps.

An integrated approach that combines inpatient and outpatient care structures could significantly improve access to health care in rural regions. This could not only meet the need for mobile services, but also the challenges posed by a high age burden and multimorbidity in these areas.