ABSTRACT
En los últimos años, en el país se ha observado una falencia de médicos especialistas en el sistema público de salud no municipalizado. Probablemente ello se ha debido a una lenta formación de especialistas por las universidades, a una reducción del número de cargos en relación a la demanda y a un éxodo de especialistas hacia el área privada. El objetivo del trabajo, es analizar el número y características de los médicos especialistas registrado en un corte en el año 2012, en base a los datos suministrados por el Ministerio de Salud, CONACEM, Universidades Nacionales y Superintendencia de Salud. Se comprobó un aumento significativo del total de especialistas en el país al comparar las cifras con las correspondientes al año 2004, en el que tenemos también registros confiables, especialmente a las correspondientes al sistema público, que creció al doble. De igual manera observamos crecimiento significativo de los especialistas en Medicina Interna, Cirugía General y Psiquiatría en las Especialidades básicas y de Anestesiología, Traumatología y Ortopedia, Radiología y Oftalmología en las especialidades primarias. Sin embargo, la distribución regional sigue mostrando brechas de atención, especialmente en las zonas de menor población. El incremento de especialistas se ha debido a las medidas adoptadas en conjunto por el Ministerio de Salud y las Universidades, en base a comisiones de estudio y becas de formación. Dado el crecimiento socio-económico y cultural del país proyectado para el 2020/2030, parece necesario mantener un ritmo adecuado de crecimiento de especialistas, merced a la acción mancomunada de las instituciones comprometidas, incluyendo a la función catalizadora del Colegio Médico, en representación de los profesionales en formación.
In the last years, in the country has been observed a deficit of medical specialists in the Chilean public system of health, not municipalized. Probably this deficit is due to the slow formation of specialists from the universities, to a reduction of the post offers, in relation to the demand and to a specialists exodus towards the private area. The aim of this study, is to analyze the number and main characteristics of medical specialists registered in a period of the year 2012, according the existing dates of Ministry of Health, (*) CONACEM, the National Universities and the Superintendence of Health. It was observed a significant increase of the number of specialists in this year in comparison to the registered data on 2004, mainly oriented to the public sector, which grew doubly, according to reliable sources. Similarly we see significant growth in the specialists in Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Psychiatry in the basic skills and anesthesiology, Traumatology and orthopedics, radiology, and Ophthalmology in the primary specialty. Nevertheless, the regional distribution continues showing deficit of attention, especially in the zones with minor population. The increase number of specialists has been due to joined efforts of Universities and Health Ministry, based in financial support and qualifications studies. According to standard socioeconomic and human development of the country, the goals of WHO (World Health Organization), must be achieved by coordinated efforts of national institutions: Ministry of Health, Universities and Medical College.
Subject(s)
Humans , Specialization/statistics & numerical data , Public Health , Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Health Services , Certification , Chile , Public Sector , Health Systems/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Several institutions, such as the Ministry of Health, Universities, the Chilean Medical Association, Scientific societies and public opinion, recognize that there is a deficiency of specialized physicians in Chile. To overcome this shortage of specialists, the Ministry of Health, along with universities, is developing diverse initiatives to train specialists and cope with the requirements of the country. Seventy five percent of posts offered were filled by physicians. The number of positions increased from 173 in 2007 to 576 in 2010, with a cumulative total of 1582 physicians in four years. Fifty two percent are being trained in Basic Primary Specialties and 48 percent in primary specialties. Thirty three percent of graduates have the obligation to continue working in the public service during a certain lapse. This figure will increase to 50 percent in the following years. These specialists are mainly working in the more densely populated regions of the country. The universities that offer the higher number of training positions are the University of Chile, The Catholic University of Chile and the University of Santiago.