National distribution of Residency places has ended: the largest number of places in recent years

The distribution process by specialties and university centers for candidates who passed the Residency Competition has been completed, announced the Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete. The 2024-2025 session marked several firsts for medical training in Romania, from the record number of places to the emphasis on family medicine. In a message published on Facebook, the minister stated that "a complex national process has ended, essential for the future of Health in Romania". In total, 5,374 places and positions were made available to young doctors in the three fields - medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. "It was a national effort to give every young person the chance to follow their professional path", added Rogobete.

• Strategic focus on family medicine

A central element of the session is the significant increase in places in family medicine - an essential specialization for prevention and for patients' access to primary health care. According to the minister, the number of positions for this specialization has increased by 25% compared to the previous year. "It is a direct investment in prevention, primary health care and patients' access to essential health care," said Rogobete, emphasizing the need to cover the shortage of family doctors in vulnerable and rural areas.

• Places left unfilled, a rare situation

For the first time in many years, the number of places put up for competition exceeded the number of candidates at the beginning of the procedure, which led to 38 places remaining unfilled. The situation, considered unprecedented, indicates a paradigm shift: the offer exceeds the immediate requests. However, specialists warn that the phenomenon must be analyzed carefully. Certain specialties remain in short supply, while others continue to be in very low demand, highlighting the need for more adapted policies regarding human resources and a better alignment of university curricula with the realities of the medical system.

The Minister of Health thanked the ministry team and the institutions involved, underlining the complexity of the process. A special mention was addressed to prof. univ. dr. Cătălinea Poiană, president of the Residency Commission, appreciated for the "rigor and professionalism” with which she coordinated the entire procedure. The Residency Competition remains one of the essential stages for young doctors, representing the gateway to specialization and integration into the healthcare system. The completion of this year's distribution marks a step forward in consolidating human resources in healthcare, given that Romania continues to face challenges regarding the migration of medical personnel and the uneven distribution of specialists.