The reform conjures up debates among health care experts. There are many pros and cons: the multi-faceted training ensures that health care professionals are clearly more flexible in their field – employment in outpatient care services, nursing homes, day care and night care facilities, hospitals, hospice care and other living facilities will now be possible for instance. This is also designed to once again make the health care profession more attractive to prospective new talent. Among other things, the reform also stipulates the exemption from tuitions and fees, the introduction of union negotiated apprentice wages as well as the introduction of an advanced studies program in health care.
In contrast, the major disadvantage being discussed is that training contents will now be reduced to a common denominator due to a consolidation of the three professions. Opponents worry that the training content will no longer be as in-depth and detailed and that many subjects will have to be acquired later on through continuing education programs.
Even though the exact basic parameters for the new health care training program are not determined yet, things are progressing. Sample training and core curriculums still need to be developed. That’s why health care schools and training facilities still have some time to prepare for the new training program.
The first class of health care students under the new program are expected to start with their studies on January 1, 2018. However, the specific type of professional career they will be acquiring is so far still somewhat uncertain. An exact name for the completed training has not been determined yet. At present, terms such as "health care expert" or "health care generalist" are still under consideration.