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Professions in the Public Health Services
According to the Austrian Medical Practitioners Act the practice of medicine, i.e. any activity based on medical and scientific findings which is carried out directly on a person or for a person (examination, diagnosis, treatment prevention, etc.) is restricted to doctors.
Accordingly, no provision is made in Austria for professions such as non-medical practitioners, acupuncturists or the like. This has also not changed since Austria’s membership in the EU.
In 2004 there were a total of 18,670 employed medical doctors, which included 6,174 “Turnusärzte” in hospitals or in teaching practices and outpatient teaching clinics to complete their training as general practitioners and medical specialists. Austrian doctors have their own representative body in the form of the Austrian Medical Chamber which is subdivided into nine provincial chambers. Every doctor is required to be a member. The main duties of the Medical Chamber include, among others, statements of opinions on proposed legislation which affects doctors, the representation of doctor in negotiations (e.g. with the social health insurance board) and the administration of an internal pension fund.
Training of doctors
The training of medical doctors is divided into two parts - university studies and practical training. With the University Act 2002, the medical faculties of the Universities of Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck were spun off and re - established as separate, legally independent Medical Universities. At the same time, new curricula were introduced which are, together, more practically, oriented than in the past. Furthermore a private Medical University in Salzburg was established in 2003. Medical doctors from the EU are also admitted to post – graduate practical training in Austria. However, there are long waiting lists for Austrians as well as for EU citizens.
Health care and nursing professions
Health care and nursing occupations are regulated by the Health Care and Nursing Act with regard to vocational pattern, areas of activity, vocational obligations and education. Health care and nursing careers are comprised of the professional health care and nursing service and the assistant nursing service.
Professional health care and nursing service
The professional health care and nursing service is the care aspect of health-promoting, preventive, diagnostics, therapeutic and rehabilitative measures to preserve or restore health and prevent illness. The service encompasses the care and supervision of people of all ages suffering from physical and psychological diseases, people with handicaps and the seriously and terminally ill, as well as care-giving participations in rehabilitation, primary medical care, health - promotion and the prevention of illnesses in the intramural and extramural fields, including participation in diagnostic and therapeutic treatments ordered by a doctor. Depending on the area of activity it may be practised on a basis of independent or shared responsibility or take an interdisciplinary form and it includes qualified health carers and nurses, qualified paediatric nurses / child carers and qualified psychiatric health carers and nurses. Training in general health care and nursing is provided at nursing schools, lasts three years (at least 4,600 hours) and is intended to provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. Applicants must have a high school degree, must demonstrate the necessary physical and mental aptitude and must be trustworthy. Training ends with a diploma examination.
Medical – technical services
The higher medical – technical professions, which are regulated in the Federal Act on Medical – Technical Services (MTD Act), include
• Physiotherapists
• Biomedical scientists
• Radiology technologists
• Dieticians
• Occupational therapists
• Logopedics
• Orthoptists
Completion of the Austrian “Matura” school-leaving examination of foreign equivalent is a prerequisite for training at medical-technical degree courses. This training takes three years and concludes with a diploma or baccalaureate degree awarded upon successful completion of a board examination.
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