The Faculty of Education at the Complutense University of Madrid recently celebrated the completion of the exams for access to Specialized Health Training, including the MIR exams, for medical graduates in Spain. A total of 30,064 individuals completed the exercises to access positions in fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Psychology, among others.
The controversial nature of one of the questions on the MIR exam has sparked outrage among members of the medical community. The question posed a scenario in which a 50-year-old doctor experiences extreme work-related stress and lack of work-life balance. Critics argue that the question fails to acknowledge the very real issue of doctor dissatisfaction and resignations due to overwhelming workloads and poor conditions.
The Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) has condemned the question as damaging and discouraging to new generations of family medicine practitioners. The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, Javier Padilla, also expressed concern and disapproval, stating that the question was a “lack of respect” to primary care professionals. He emphasized that the Ministry of Health does not participate in preparing the exam questions and distanced the Ministry from any responsibility for the controversial question.
The MIR exams are meant to provide an unbiased and accurate assessment of medical graduates’ skills and knowledge. The controversy surrounding this particular question highlights the need for sensitivity and attentiveness to the real challenges faced by healthcare professionals, particularly those in primary care.