While most Russian physicians would like to be able to have additional training in a narrower specialty, the options offered by the Ministry of Health are not suitable for 28.9%, according to a survey conducted by the RNC Pharma analyst company and the Medvestnik platform for doctors. Another 21.8% of the respondents cannot find time for retraining due to the high workload at their hospital or due to personal circumstances. Only 20.9% of the doctors plan to undergo retraining.

Among those who are not going to change their specialization, a significant number, 10.7%, is skeptical about the quality of the offered accelerated programs, believing that obtaining the necessary qualifications requires much more time. About 17.7% of the physicians are completely satisfied with their qualifications and do not consider retraining.

It was no surprise that the answers had pronounced gender and age differences. In particular, the male doctors were more satisfied with their current specialties than the female ones (14% vs. 6%, respectively). 28% of the respondents aged 23 to 45 years are ready to retrain, while among those aged 46 years and older, only 14% would like to take up the offer by the Ministry.

Fig. Would you like to have additional training in a narrower specialty under the professional retraining program by the Ministry of Health? (single-answer question)