Salta Medical College proposes Expanded Roles for Residents to Addressโ Healthcare โฃShortages
The Salta Medical College has proposed granting more authority to medical residents to perform low-risk surgeries as a solution to the province’s critical shortage of healthcare specialists. This was a key discussion point during a โrecent meetingโข between College leaders and provincial senators,โข convened to analyse Senator Alejandra Navarro‘s proposed Sanitary Emergency Law.
College representatives highlighted thatโค 80% of surgeries performed in the province โขare low-risk, โsuggesting that properly trained residents could safelyโค handleโ a portion of โthese procedures, โmaintaining quality of care.
Another proposed solution focused on allowing professionals in related specialties to perform functions typically handled by specialists in short supply, specifically mentioning the possibility of palliative care doctors โคor other physicians assisting โwith anesthesiology. While requiring regulatory adjustments, this couldโ provide a rapid response to critical needs.
Alberto Robredo, President of the college of Physicians, detailed the rigorous Specialties Certification System, which includesโค five โฃyears of experience, a qualifying score, and a thoroughโค theoretical-practical exam developedโฃ with university and scientific society participation. He noted theโค practical exam utilizes simulators to assess technical skills with standardized criteria.
The Senate meeting โฃwas led by the President of the Health Commission, Manuel, and included Senators Arnaldo Altamirano, Dani Nolasco, Leonor Minetti, and Alejandra Navarro.
The proposed law declares a three-year (extendable by two) health emergency, identifying critical specialtiesโ where staffingโ levels are insufficientโค to maintain full public health system functionality. It proposes increased budgetary and administrative flexibility to address personnel deficits, with the Ministry of Public Health serving asโฃ the implementing authority.
Provincial Control of Residency Quotas: โค Senator Navarro announced that, starting โคnext year, theโข Nation will transfer the power to assign residency quotas to the provinces, allowing for training programsโ tailored to eachโ jurisdiction’s specific needs. senator Pailler emphasized the severe lack of specialists in areas like anesthesiology, pediatrics, cardiology, general surgery, psychiatry, and psychology, particularly in the province’s interior, reinforcing the need for innovative โsolutions like those proposed by the College of Physicians.
Legislators concluded the meeting by agreeing to incorporate the College’s proposals into the draft law, accelerating its progress towards a final opinion.