Professionals entering and leaving the Portuguese health services system

In Portugal, the healthcare sector demand for professionals has traditionally outweighed the supply for physicians, nurses and health technicians. However, the capacity of the National Health Service, the main healthcare sector employer, to absorb new professionals is apparently decreasing, and the demand for professionals in the private sector is unclear, but it seems to be growing. With regard to physicians, demand seems to persistently exceed supply, as many physicians work in several institutions or work overtime in the public sector, and the number of foreign physicians practicing in Portugal is increasing. In recent years, the number of medical schools and medical graduates increased, but it may not be sufficient to meet future needs. This paper is limited by the lack of comprehensive data on the private sector and on the number of professionals moving between the public and private sectors. These data are important for the planning and the decision-making process. Human resources policies, supported by an adequate health information system, are fundamental steps for the improvement of the performance of the healthcare system.