An analysis of the medical specialty training system in Spain.

In this paper, we analyse the medical specialty training system in Spain (the so-called "residency system"). In order to do so, we a) summarize its historical evolution; b) describe the five major architectural pillars on which the system is currently based; c) analyse the special contract of the specialist-in-training; d) discuss the three major challenges for the medical specialist training future: the evolution and expansion of the residency system to other health professions, the issue of grouping specialties with a common core trunk and the continuity of the learning process; and e) draw four conclusions that may be relevant for those who are in the process of developing or revising their own medical specialization systems.

[Characteristics and limits of Professional Master in the Health area: study with alumni from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation]. / Características e limites do mestrado profissional na área da Saúde: estudo com egressos da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz.

This paper discuss findings of a follow-up study with alumni of three graduate courses known as "professional master" oriented toward institutional innovation in management of science and technology, offered by Oswaldo Cruz Foundation to its employees. The study analyzed alumni profile and characteristics, identified evidence of changes in their original workplace and assessed the relationship between the courses proposals, institutional needs and alumni expectations. The paper presents limits and possibilities of this new format of graduate courses, emphasizing its evaluation as strategic for institutional development. Despite of respondents' satisfaction with the courses, this inquiry discloses institutional difficulties to incorporate some innovations, including those concerned to its institutional management.

[New professional competences in the field of health and the aging Brazilian population: integrality, interdisciplinarity, intersectoriality]. / Novas competências profissionais em saúde e o envelhecimento populacional brasileiro: integralidade, interdisciplinaridade e intersetorialidade.

This paper discusses the challenges faced by medical education with regard to the aging Brazilian population as well as the specificities of senior health care services, aiming at systematizing the contents and practices needed to prepare health professionals. The assumption is based on a clear gap between appropriate contents for quality geriatric practices and health policy guidelines on the one hand, and current undergraduate and graduate level medical programs on the other. This epidemiological and demographic transition positions Geriatrics and Gerontology as fields of expertise in an expanding market, both in the public and private sectors, which raises the discussion on medical training standardization and health HR distribution. However, the little emphasis given to these fields in current curricula does not only reflect a mere pedagogical issue. In spite of the existing legislation, everything points to the fact that the importance of these contents to society is not yet clear. Including the aging process in undergraduate programs as part of the life course and in all of its aspects is a priority for the Brazilian population. A broad discussion on the role played by graduate, permanent, and continuing education is needed in order to face the challenge of quality aging.