Residency reform, a priority for the Ministry of Health

The Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, stated that the reform of the residency system must go beyond the simple reorganization of the exam and aim, first and foremost, at the quality of doctors' training and the adaptation of programs to European Union standards. Minister Rogobete explained, in a press conference, that the current residency system needs a broader vision, which emphasizes practical training, professional integration and the development of clinical skills. "There are a number of visions regarding the way residency should be conducted and organized, but the exam is not necessarily the key to this important reform, but what happens to the resident doctor during residency and especially after,” the minister said.

• Objective: European standards in medical training

Rogobete stressed the need to harmonize training programs with international standards, so that Romanian doctors benefit from uniform recognition in all European Union states. "I believe that the most important thing is to align ourselves with international standards, especially European ones, because we are talking about a profession that is recognized uniformly and equally in the European Union. Doctors in Romania, in my opinion, should follow the same path in residency training as other EU countries,” said Alexandru Rogobete. This approach aims not only to improve the curricula, but also to modernize the infrastructure of university hospitals, increase the number of training centers and introduce mentoring programs between specialists and residents. Romania has been facing a significant shortage of specialist doctors for years, especially in rural areas and small hospitals. At the same time, thousands of young doctors choose to practice in other European countries, attracted by better working conditions and international recognition of skills. According to data from the Romanian College of Physicians, over 25,000 Romanian doctors are currently working abroad. The reform announced by the Ministry of Health could contribute to increasing the attractiveness of the domestic medical system, if it manages to modernize professional training and improve working conditions. Minister Rogobete's statements come at a time when Romania is increasingly discussing the reprofessionalization of the healthcare system, the need for specialists in critical fields (anesthesia, emergency, epidemiology) and the digitalization of medical education. The Ministry of Health is to present, in the coming period, a strategic plan for the residency reform, which could include: a new methodology for evaluating clinical skills; expanding international partnerships for internships; creating a unified system for accreditation of training centers; incentives for young doctors who choose to practice in the country.