This news was eagerly awaited by medical students. Now, thanks to the constant collection of signatures, social mobilization and pressure from unions, the The Ministry of Health has decided to increase the number of MIR places (Medical Resident Interns) for the 2023-2024 call. This effort aims to alleviate the shortage of specialists affecting hospitals throughout Spain.
It is surprising that a health system that is considered a reference in many other countries around the world suffers from a structural lack of medical specialistsHowever, this is not a recent problem, but one that has been brewing for decades. The increase in MIR places is an important measure, but many experts agree that it will not be enough to solve the underlying problem.
Increase in MIR places 2023-2024: is it enough?
In the 2023-2024 call for Specialized Health Training (FSE), a total of have been offered 11.600 places, which is a 3,8% increase compared to the previous call and an astonishing 38% more If we compare it with the 2018 offer. Of these, specifically for Medicine, 8.767 places, which represents an increase of 2,5% compared to the previous year.
Despite this improvement, some experts in the health sector, such as Dr. Sheila Justo, technical secretary of Young Doctors and MIR of the State Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM), have expressed that this increase may not be enough. The reason is that, although the number of places has increased, the selection system and the lack of incentives for certain specialties, they remain significant barriers. Especially in Family and Community Medicine, where even with an increase of 34 places offered, there is still a structural lack of professionals.
Specialties with the greatest offer in the MIR 2023
Regarding the specialties, the MIR-2023 has offered 2.489 places in Family and Community Medicine, the specialty with the highest number of available places. This is followed by Pediatrics and Specific Areas, with 508 places. These areas are considered key, since they are essential for the functioning of the National Health System (NHS). However, despite the importance of these areas, the reality is that many of these places are not being filled.
As an example, in the previous call for Family and Community Medicine, more than 200 vacanciesThe reasons behind this phenomenon are multiple, including the precarious conditions of work in Primary Care, the lack of incentives and the work overload to which these specialists are subjected.
Another specialty that is of particular concern is Child Psychiatry, which has seen a significant increase in places, going from 30 to 48. This specialty is essential to address the growing burden of mental health problems in children and adolescents, a latent concern that is increasingly visible in the Spanish healthcare field.
Places reserved for people with disabilities and non-EU applicants
One of the significant novelties of the increase in MIR places is the inclusion of a greater number of places reserved for people with disabilities and non-EU applicants. In total, 1,000 MIR places have been reserved 812 places for applicants with disabilities, which represents 7% of the total number of places available. This increase is particularly important because it opens up opportunities for more people with disabilities to access specialised training in Medicine.
With regard to the non-EU applicants, the quota of places is 6%, which is equivalent to 526 places for Medicine. For Nursing, the number is smaller, with three places reserved; and for Pharmacy, only 21 places have been allocated.
In addition, a procedure has been established for a extraordinary appeal in the event that, after the ordinary call for applications, there are places that have not been awarded. This call for applications will allow the quota of places for non-EU applicants to be increased to 10%. It should be noted that this procedure is designed to prevent places from being left unallocated, as has occurred in previous calls for applications.
Additional measures: stabilization and active retirement
The Ministry of Health has not only focused on increasing the number of MIR places, but has also announced a series of additional measures to improve the health system as a whole. These include: stabilization of more than 67.300 professionals and the activation of a mechanism of active retirement, which would allow retired doctors to continue working if they so wish, helping to alleviate the shortage of professionals.
Additionally, an increase in the 15% of the places available in public medical schoolsThis measure is designed to ensure that in the coming years the number of doctors entering the labour market will be adequate to meet the growing need for specialist doctors.
Despite all these efforts, it is clear that improving the working conditions of specialties such as Family and Community Medicine is essential for this increase in places to be effective. According to Dr. Rafael Micó, vice president of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (Semergen), it is not enough to continue increasing the number of places if they are not filled. It is necessary to make this specialty more attractive, as it continues to be one of the least sought after despite the high need for professionals.
The increase in the number of MIR places is a step in the right direction. However, the solution to the shortage of specialist doctors in Spain requires a comprehensive approach that not only increases the training offer, but also addresses the structural problems of the health system, especially in the area of Primary Care. Improving working conditions, staff stabilization and better human resource planning are just some of the aspects that must continue to evolve for these new measures to be truly effective.