An international perspective on strikes and strike threats by physicians: the case of Chile

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• The Salvador Allende Gossens government in Chile implemented a comprehensive health services program.
• This program aimed for community participation and changes in healthcare delivery models.
• The organized medical profession exhibited systematic opposition to these reforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the Chilean government's health services program and its initial impacts.
• To analyze the organized medical profession's opposition to the health program and socialist goals.
• To trace the medical profession's activities from 1970 to 1973.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of the government's health services program.
• Analysis of the medical profession's response and activities.
• Examination of political links between the medical profession and opposition groups.

Main Results:

• The medical profession opposed community participation and changes in care delivery.
• Physicians feared a diminished professional status.
• Significant political connections existed between the medical profession and anti-government factions.

Conclusions:

• The opposition of the medical profession extended beyond healthcare reform to broader political objectives.
• The organized medical profession was linked to the eventual overthrow of the Allende government.
• The study highlights the intersection of medical professional interests and political power struggles.