The allocation of internal resident doctor (MIR) positions in Extremadura has reached a concerning point, with only one out of the 98 vacancies offered in Family Medicine being filled. As 4,500 young doctors from across the country have already chosen their training destinations, Extremadura has lagged behind in this crucial primary care specialty, waiting until the 3,525th position to debut in Family and Community Medicine.
Extremadura is now the penultimate region to award a position in Family Medicine, with only La Rioja behind in filling the 27 positions offered. This puts the region at risk of leaving some places empty in a specialty that is vital to the healthcare system, as professionals in this field work in primary care, serving as the gateway for all patients.
This shortage of doctors in Family Medicine is not a new issue for Extremadura, as similar situations have occurred in the past two years. The region has failed to fill all available positions, prompting concerns about the availability of healthcare professionals in the area. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health and the government to attract more doctors to the specialty, including offering contracts and incentives, the lack of interest in Family Medicine persists.
The Extremadura Medical Council for Primary Care (Comexap) has called for more staff and budget to address the decreasing resources in primary care. They emphasize the importance of protecting healthcare professionals from attacks and implementing measures to ensure their safety in health centers.
The process of assigning MIR positions continues, with Extremadura having filled only 31.6% of the total positions offered so far. The region will need to address the challenges in recruiting doctors to Family Medicine to ensure adequate healthcare for its residents.