At the Rancagua Regional Hospital, the shortage of specialists has become a problem that would affect the quality and accessibility of medical care. The lack of otolaryngologists, dermatologists, oncologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists, nephrologists, cardiologists and other health professionals has been aggravated by the recent resignations of many of them, to which is added the lack of supplies in various areas.
The president of the O’Higgins Medical College, Sonia Correa, expressed her concern and noted that since last year they have been warning about the lack of specialists, highlighting the need for incentives to retain them in the region.
“Since last year we have been seeing this issue in the (Health) Service Directorate regarding the lack of specialists; and the disadvantage that we have in comparison to the Metropolitan and Maule region in terms of stimulus allocations and having a plan for the specialists who come to work in the region, that they stay and that we can have in public attention the corresponding incentives so that “The specialists stay working in the hospitals.”
For example, he assures that “Since August of last year we have not had ENT specialists at the Regional Hospital, and urgent cases are being referred to San Fernando, but non-urgent cases are increasing the lists of wait. In the case of dermatologists, the supply is decreasing, dermatologists have left and we are left with very few hours of dermatology, mostly teledermatology, which is not enough for the demand and for the evaluation of in-person cases, hospitalized patients, suspected cancer. of skin,” warned the Colmed representative in the region.
STIMULUS ALLOCATIONS IS THE BUTT STONE
The situation is aggravated by the possible migration of surgeons, who have expressed their discontent with the working conditions in the public system in the region. The lack of stimuli comparable to other regions and the absence of adequate conditions for professional development are the reasons. “It is true that several have expressed their dissatisfaction with the working conditions within our public system in this region, and they have every right to think about other professional horizons.”
The president of the O’Higgins Medical College, Sonia Correa.
Along these lines, the Comed representative in the region added “We need to have stimuli that are comparable with other regions, since we have specialty assignment stimuli that are much lower than the Metropolitan and Maule region, so it is easier to migrate to another Service. of health. Having conditions for personal development, incentives for research stimuli, having specialty development with the purchase of new equipment to be able to continue working here and this due to the many efforts that have been made by the hospitals, has an important component in the Health Service that “You have to have leadership in these types of situations.”
Correa also emphasized the lack of supplies for proctologists, underlining the importance of commitments with dates by the authorities to improve working conditions and guarantee adequate equipment. “That is among the stimuli that one needs, because not only does the specialist have to be there; but, especially in the case of surgical specialties, specialists need supplies, medications; and there have been issues of supplies and lack of equipment. We need the authorities to have commitments with dates so that we can improve this issue of stimuli and have the issue of supplies, equipment, etc. resolved, to be able to work together for the health of the region,” Correa stressed.
Regarding the Critical Patients Unit (UPC) within the Regional Hospital, the president of the Medical College mentioned that the lack of specialists forces them to resort to general practitioners to cover shifts. “It is very difficult to find specialists who do shifts, so although it is True, in the UCP there are specialist doctors who work shifts, but there are several doctors and the second or third resident, just as in the emergency room, is sometimes not a specialist, because a doctor is needed to cover those needs and it is not always possible to have a specialist.”
Correa highlighted the need for joint and serious work between authorities, the medical association and specialists to find long-term solutions and for this work to be maintained over time.
The union member concluded by saying “I think it is important to keep in mind that leading all of this and what specialty assignment means is the health service because they are the main ones called to be able to improve this situation.” of the specialists. We have had work meetings with the health service, but we still do not see the fruits and that is what we need, that it can be finalized later,” he concluded.
REGIONAL HOSPITAL SEEKS SOLUTIONS FOR SHORTAGE OF SPECIALISTS
In response to the current situation, the Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins Regional Hospital has addressed the shortage of specialists, particularly in the areas of otorhinolaryngology and dermatology. From the establishment, through a press release they indicated the actions taken and the plans implemented to resolve this challenge.
In relation to otorhinolaryngologists, the letter highlights that the hospital has made two recruitment calls on the public portal “We invite ENT specialists in the region to participate in the different forms of recruitment that our hospital has available; However, the efforts at the moment do not register favorable results. Additionally, we request the assignment of specialists trained by the State.”
The hospital reports that, given this situation, “the establishment implemented a contingency plan a few months ago that remains ongoing, aimed at hiring doctors and, in parallel, referring patients to the San Fernando Hospital and outside the system in order to maintain care.” ”.
As for the dermatologists, they reported that “starting in February the health center will have a specialist in the area. Like the previous case, a contingency plan is being implemented that allows the hiring of new doctors along with managing the referral of patients to the regional public health network and to the extrasystem when justified.”
The statement ends by saying “We understand the complexities of this scenario and share the deep desire to provide better health for our community. “We will continue to develop all possible efforts to remedy this situation during the year 2024.”
It should be noted that both the Regional Hospital and the Health Service They declined our request for an interview. to address these concerns, limiting itself to responding through the brief statement referred to above. We also note that on several occasions since the middle of last year we have requested an interview with the director of the O’Higgins Health Service, this possibility being repeatedly denied by the Communications Department, citing – generally scheduling problems – or simply not providing a response. at our request.
The article Rancagua Regional Hospital in crisis due to a shortage of specialists? It was first published in El Rancagüino.
