Medical Association Welcomes Family Doctor Vacancy Opening, Cites Need for More Measures

The Portuguese Medical Association (OM) has expressed cautious approval of the Health Ministry's recent decision to open all requested vacancies for family doctors within the National Health Service (SNS). This move is seen as a positive step towards addressing the critical shortage of primary care physicians.

Despite the positive reception, the OM issued a strong warning that simply filling vacancies will not be enough to solve the deep-seated structural problems. The association argues that these underlying issues are the primary reasons why doctors are leaving the SNS, leading to a continuous cycle of shortages.

OM emphasized that additional, more comprehensive measures are urgently needed. These measures should aim to create a more sustainable and attractive working environment for doctors within the public health system. Without addressing these structural impediments, the association fears that the problem of retaining qualified family doctors will persist.

The association's statement implies a need for policy changes that go beyond immediate staffing solutions. These could include improvements in working conditions, career progression opportunities, and remuneration, among other factors that influence doctors' decisions to stay or leave the SNS.