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[2017 Census: are there enough anaesthesiologists in Portugal?]
Paulo Lemos1, Alexandra Guedes1, Joana Mourão1
1Direção do Colégio de Anestesiologia (2015 - 2017). Ordem dos Médicos. Lisboa. Portugal.
Portugal has a shortage of anesthesiologists, with 1542 identified in 2017. Despite a slight increase in the ratio per inhabitant, the deficit is projected to decrease by 2023, improving healthcare capacity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Statistics
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Anaesthesiologist workforce analysis in Portugal.
- Monitoring national activity in anaesthesiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the number of anaesthesiologists in Portugal.
- To compare current anaesthesiologist numbers with a 2014 census.
- To assess national anaesthesiology activity.
Main Methods:
- Observational cross-sectional study.
- Data collected from 53 public institutions across 86 hospitals in May 2017.
- Comparison with 2014 census data.
Main Results:
- 1542 anaesthesiologists identified (15.1 per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Surgical procedures increased by 3.4% compared to 2013.
- Labour analgesia increased by 14.3%.
Conclusions:
- Portugal faces an anaesthesiologist shortage, despite a slight increase in the ratio per capita.
- A deficit of 541 anaesthesiologists in the National Health Service is predicted to reduce by two-thirds by 2023.
- Addressing the shortage will enhance anaesthesiology human resource capacity.
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