Title: Dynamic analysis of medical specialist training policies in Spain

Authors: Maria Isabel Alonso Magdaleno

Addresses: University of Oviedo, Departamento de Administracion de Empresas y Contabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias Economicas y Empresariales, Campus del Cristo, Avda. del Cristo, s/n, 33071 Oviedo–Asturias, Spain

Abstract: Given the current imbalance between the offer and demand for medical specialists in the Spanish Health System, this study|s aim is to show the impact of the present policy of allocation of specialised medical training positions through state exams, and the potential effect of alternative measures and control policies. With this end in view, we developed a simulation model for the process of offering training positions by employing system dynamics methodology. The results obtained in the simulation show that if the healthcare administration continues to offer medical positions through state examinations, as it has up to the present, this will exacerbate the existing problems of imbalance. This will occur even in the event that restrictive measures are taken with respect to limiting admission to medical colleges and reducing the present compulsory retirement age.

Keywords: Spanish Health System; specialised medical training; MIR; system dynamics; model; simulation; Sapin.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2003.004161

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2003 Vol.5 No.6, pp.381 - 393

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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