The Medical Order presented today, in Guarda, a study coordinated by President Carlos Cortes that identifies 11 areas of difficult doctor retention in Portugal: the Azores, Beja, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Évora, Faro, Guarda, Madeira, Portalegre, Vila Real, and Viseu. The organization warns that Portugal has been responding to the difficulties of doctor retention in low-density territories with "ad hoc, temporary, and reactive measures," now intending to counter this approach.
The document proposes protocols between the Ministry of Health and municipalities to create minimum material conditions for installation, including housing at controlled costs, rehabilitation of municipal properties, local tax benefits, and access to cultural and sports facilities. The study also advocates partnerships with local businesses to support the professional integration of doctors' spouses, often decisive in the retention decision.
Among the measures presented, the creation of reserved positions for inland doctors in postgraduate training programs stands out, recognition of residency positions in low-density territories as priority territorial positions with curricular and remuneration valorization, and the creation of differentiated evaluation indicators for health units serving aging, dispersed, or vulnerable populations. The document also proposes that the boards of directors of Local Health Units in these regions have real management autonomy to hire professionals quickly.
The Medical Order also proposes financial incentives such as progressive salary increases, loyalty bonuses, installation awards, and benefits in income tax and property tax, as well as professional valorization through the increase of service time for career advancement and facilitated access to training. The report constitutes a challenge to political decision-makers, health institutions, municipalities, universities, and society, emphasizing that geography cannot determine access to healthcare.
