The National Harvest Festival 2024 has found its identity in a controversial object: the crown. In the midst of this cultural celebration, a critical issue in the medical field has come to the forefront. According to Dr. Maximiliano Carmona, a specialist in Intensive Care and advisor to the Ministry of Health, there is a concerning trend of 50% or more of medical graduates choosing not to access the residency system. This has led to a serious crisis in the healthcare system, as these doctors are not receiving the necessary training.
In response to this issue, the Ministry of Health is implementing reforms to make the residency system more efficient and attractive to medical graduates. A key point in the changes is the modification of the residency duration, with some criticism from the Mendoza Medical Circle regarding a reduction from four to three years. However, Carmona emphasized that the focus is on modernizing the system to ensure that residents acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.
The Minister of Health, Rodolfo Montero, and Governor Alfredo Cornejo presented a package of laws, including the modifications to the Residences. The goal is to have more residents starting in July when calls for different specialties open up. The proposed reforms aim to improve the quality of residencies, remuneration, and educational field, and to better align university training with the needs of public health.
Furthermore, the negotiation of the Medical Residence Law has involved input from political parties, academic leaders, and self-convened residents. The changes include regulations by the Ministry of Health and Sports, simplification of entry requirements, extension of age limit to 45 years, and the ability for residents to perform guard duty and be paid separately for this work.
The dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UNCuyo, Roberto Miatello, highlighted the need to make medical residencies more attractive to graduates. He noted a shift in mentality among young doctors who prefer immediate job opportunities over further specialization. Miatello emphasized the importance of filling critical areas in the healthcare system with trained professionals.
Finally, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Mendoza, Francisco Cutroni, advocated for a change in the methodology of residencies to incorporate theoretical training alongside healthcare practice. The aim is to create university residences that offer comprehensive training for medical graduates. The ultimate goal is to retain professionals in the healthcare system and provide better opportunities for specialized training.
As the healthcare system undergoes significant reforms to address the challenges in medical residencies, the focus is on ensuring that doctors receive the necessary training and support to better serve their communities.