The Department of the University of Junta de Andalucía is taking proactive steps to address the shortage of medical teaching staff in Medicine degrees by creating a new position called the doctor’s assistant with clinical links to the public health system. This innovative profile, not found elsewhere in the state or other autonomous communities, is seen as a way to attract more talent to the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) and universities.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the University Department is in the process of developing an order that will establish the conditions and requirements for hiring and the activities of the doctor’s assistant with clinical links. It is proposed that this position be considered university personnel and that a balance between care dedication, teaching, and research work be maintained to facilitate the accreditation and stabilization of this staff.
The draft standard also suggests that the remuneration for doctor assistant professors with clinical links be equivalent to that of a university doctor assistant, with the salary split between the academic institution and the SAS. Furthermore, the hiring of a doctor’s assistant will be full-time and can last between one to five years, with a maximum cumulative contract duration of eight years at the same or different universities.
The doctor’s assistant category is specifically targeted towards young doctors who have completed their specialization through the MIR program and hold a doctorate degree. By joining the university at around 30 years old, candidates can progress to higher positions at a younger age, facilitating the renewal of teaching staff and promoting the early involvement of health professionals in medical education.
Concerns raised by the National Conference of Deans of Medical Faculties of Spain and the Medical Profession Forum highlight the current shortage of clinical teaching staff, with nearly 4,000 positions unfilled and an expected increase to 5,000 by 2030. The emphasis on rejuvenating the teaching staff is crucial due to the high retirement rate among members, whose average age surpasses 50 years, exceeding the average retirement age in other academic fields.