Reasons, challenges and contributions of the specialty training programme in family and community medicine in Spain

Abstract

In the past 30 years, specialty training in medicine, by means of residency programmes, has undoubtedly been one of the instruments that helped raise care quality and patient safety homogenously across the country, efficiently achieving important health outcomes in Spain in relation to surrounding countries. The specialty of Family and Community Medicine (FCM) is one of 44 medical specialties which require a residency training programme. It is developed in 97 teaching units that count on 887 health centres and 212 accredited hospitals, and train approximately 1800 residents per year. Currently, the specialty programme in FCM lasts four years and it is a competency-oriented programme whose key elements encompass flexibility, pluripotency, a resident-preceptor axe, and formative assessment. It originates from the firm will to update and consolidate the doctrines and values of FCM, as well as from a deep commitment to education and the National Health System. It is based on the evidence that an equitable, efficient and viable health care system must rely on a forceful and resolute Primary Care, which should provide well-prepared and trained physicians. Therefore, it is critical that the Ministries (and other organisations responsible for the health and educational systems of different countries) regard the provision of adequate funding and empowerment as an essential objective, so that primary care services can play a central role within the Health System and FCM can be seen as a discipline, specialty and health profession.