“Settle Down!” – Campaign Encourages Young Physicians to Start Their Own Practice

With the nationwide campaign “Settle Down!”, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) and the regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVen) have been actively addressing the physician shortage since May 2014. The goal: to inspire young medical professionals to consider self-employment, especially in general practice where successors are often hard to find.

The campaign directly targets medical students and physicians in specialist training. Billboards featuring real future doctors, online banners, informational flyers, and creative giveaways on university campuses aim to spark interest in independent medical work.

At the heart of the initiative is the online portal www.lass-dich-nieder.de. Here, young physicians share their experiences, providing realistic insights into everyday practice life. The platform also offers a comprehensive overview of regional advisory and funding programs.

The campaign is supported by various on-campus activities: From tote bags with the slogan “Let me through. I’m going to be a doctor” to campaign-branded coffee cups and seat covers for bicycles – everything is designed to raise awareness and curiosity.

A key highlight was the “Fit for Practice?” info day held at Charité University in Berlin, where around 280 students attended discussions and spoke directly with practice consultants. The relaxed conversations at the so-called “Practice Café” were particularly well received. Thanks to this success, KBV and KVen plan to continue such events at universities across Germany.