Spain could be 25 000 specialists short by 2025

Spain currently lacks around 3200 specialist doctors, and if present conditions continue the shortage will rise to 9000 by 2015 and could be 25 000 by 2025, says a report from the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs.

The specialties of paediatrics and family and community medicine have the severest shortages, with up to 35% more specialists needed. More doctors are also needed in thoracic surgery, geriatrics, paediatric surgery, neurosurgery, and clinical pharmacology.

For the report Las Palmas University looked at census data on professionals in work; and experts from regional authorities and the ministry estimated the number of specialists needed. Computer modelling then …