Ten years development of human resources in Serbian health system.

A key component of any healthcare reform process is to ensure that the services are delivered by the right numbers of staff with appropriate skills and training. In 2007, public health institutions in Serbia had 2% more employees than before the economic transition. Nevertheless, the trend of the total number of employees in the Serbian health care system still preserved a mild rising trend. The most prominent changes in the structure of human resources were effectuated in the total numbers of physicians, nurses and administrative and technical staff. Development of medical science and practice in Serbia is characterized by more intensive processes of specializations, resulting in increased number of specialists among medical doctors. Health care provided in in-patient institutions still employs most of the doctors. The number of unemployed physicians, dentists and pharmacists has been rising since 2000. Another aspect that explains the rise of unemployed, university educated human resources is the rising number of graduated physicians, dentist and pharmacists. Health care policy makers may recognize the need for more integrated planning of human resources in health care, in particular, making management of human resources responsive to system needs and design, instead of vice versa.

Continuous medical education (CME) of general practitioners (GP) in primary health care settings in the field of identification and diagnosis of alcoholism.

Institute of Public Health of Serbia (IPHS) is developing new function related to better monitoring of alcohol related diseases and injuries, actions focusing on alcohol as a lifestyle related factor using integrated strategic approaches for both population and individual risk reduction. In that regard the long term objective of the IPHS is to study, monitor, promote and safeguard public health--from the point of view of mental health and alcohol abuse--by means of research, development and the provision of expert services. Starting point in the aforementioned need for the capacity building in the area of mental health and alcohol abuse is the Program of education of general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care settings for identification and diagnosis of alcoholism. This is because GPs have the widest contact with the general population. Their education related to recognition of alcohol abuse and appropriate diagnostic tools application is first, but very important step in providing direction of the health service and other sectors for problem solving and would bring the largest benefit for the whole population. In the year 2010 National program against alcohol abuse and alcoholism will be developed. Program of education of GPs is very important complementary activity which outcome will have great impact on the National program implementation.