Training of specialists in the Chilean national health services

Abstract

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% 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% 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.