Maria Fontan, Chair of the National Association of Medical Students (ANEM), stated that a significant increase in the number of places in medical universities is not a helpful solution to the doctor shortage problem. She called the idea that expanding places would solve the National Health Service (NHS) issue 'illusory' and 'false rhetoric.'
The discussion concerns a new integrated master's course in medicine at Tras-os-Tuntes and Altu-Duro University, which allowed for an additional 40 spots in the national higher education entrance competition, as well as the potential opening of another course at Evora University.
Maria Fontan emphasized that opening medical schools in remote areas of the country is not a negative phenomenon, but it cannot be interpreted as a nationwide increase in the number of places. According to ANEM, solving the problem may involve reducing the number of places in urban agglomerations and redistributing existing places to regions within the country.
International studies were mentioned, showing that students studying in remote areas are more likely to stay and work there. However, this scenario has not been confirmed at Beira Interior University, which continues to face difficulties in attracting doctors. The Chair of ANEM insists that the number of places cannot be used to promote the idea of greater NHS sustainability, as this is not happening; the NHS needs to become more attractive to attract more specialists.
Furthermore, Maria Fontan warned that Tras-os-Tuntes lacks the same clinical internship opportunities available in coastal hospitals. Meanwhile, these hospitals have already reached their capacity and cannot accept more students. She concluded that medical courses cannot be viewed in isolation, but must be seen from a national perspective, while acknowledging the influence of local factors, and a more substantiated strategy is necessary.
The results of the first stage of the National Higher Education Entrance Competition, in which nearly 50 thousand applicants participated, were published this weekend.