Tightening medical training: Maintaining strict quality standards

TP - "I completely agree with the opinion of the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh that it is necessary to let specialized universities train some specific majors, and medical schools should be allowed to train medical doctors (physicians)", Dr. Pham Trong Nghia, a full-time National Assembly delegate at the National Assembly's Culture and Social Affairs Committee, shared with Tien Phong.

When the National Assembly gave its opinion on laws related to the education sector, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh said that it is necessary to allow specialized universities to train some specific fields, for example, medical schools are allowed to train medical students (doctors). What is your opinion on this policy?

I completely agree with the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh that specialized universities should be allowed to train some specific majors, and medical schools should be allowed to train medical doctors (physicians).

Dr. Pham Trong Nghia.

We all know that medical training is a special field, directly related to human life. Therefore, the quality of output must be given top priority, requiring synchronous and in-depth investment in facilities, a team of lecturers with clinical experience, and a hospital practice environment. Allowing non-specialized schools to train medical staff (especially doctors) will lead to the risk of "increasing quantity but decreasing quality".

"It is necessary to build and maintain a strict quality standard at the national level to control training from input to output in the health sector" - Dr. Pham Trong Nghia

Therefore, I think it is necessary to build and maintain a strict quality standard at the national level to control training from input to output in the health sector (first of all, training doctors), so that only qualified facilities (usually specialized medical universities or multidisciplinary schools with real experience and capacity in medicine) are licensed to train.

Based on this standard, there is a transition roadmap, for example 3 or 5 years, after which only schools that meet the standards are allowed to train in the health sector, and schools that do not meet the standards are not allowed to train. In the long term, only medical schools will train doctors, while other schools can train other health-related subjects.

To improve the quality of medical training, what recommendations do delegates have for management agencies, specifically the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health?

Regarding improving the quality of training, I think there are 3 solutions that can be considered. First, it is necessary to apply specific regulations on the conditions for opening majors in the health sciences (medical) group. For example, lecturers and practice instructors must have a practice certificate and have worked or are working directly at qualified medical examination and treatment facilities. The application for opening a major must be assessed by the Ministry of Health, including an assessment of human resource needs and practical training conditions.

Next, it is necessary to stipulate a mandatory minimum score for the high school graduation exam - that is, the minimum score for candidates to be eligible to register for admission or take the university entrance exam for medical majors. Third, it is necessary to strengthen periodic inspection and supervision of training conditions to ensure quality.

Medical student support needed

Along with the demand for quality, there are opinions that it is time to implement a policy of free tuition and living expenses support for medical students (training doctors) like pedagogical students. What is your opinion on this proposal?

The issue of medical human resources, medical ethics and special treatment policies for medical staff are among the contents emphasized in Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo.

According to preliminary statistics, the total workforce in the health sector is currently more than 431,700 people. Vietnam currently has about 140,000 to 150,000 nurses, equivalent to 14-15 nurses per 10,000 people. This ratio is among the lowest in ASEAN. For example, Thailand has about 20-25 nurses per 10,000 people; Malaysia has about 30-35; Singapore has over 70; OECD countries have an average of 80-120 nurses per 10,000 people.

According to a recent survey by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, on average, a nurse in the intensive care unit has to take care of 3-4 patients in the same shift.

According to the Ministry of Health's forecast, in the period of 2021 - 2030, the Vietnamese health system needs to add about 173,400 doctors and 313,900 nurses. Without appropriate attraction and treatment policies, the risk of a serious nursing shortage will directly affect the quality of health care for the entire population.

The training time for doctors is long, the pressure of studying and the cost of living are high, especially for students from difficult circumstances. Doctors are a special profession, we cannot let the poor not study medicine, and we cannot let young doctors graduate only worrying about paying off their tuition debts.

Therefore, I support the exemption of tuition fees and living expenses for medical students in public schools. At the same time, it is accompanied by a commitment to serve as assigned by the State for a certain period of time. We are in dire need of doctors in remote, mountainous and border areas. If there is such a policy, it will attract many good students, especially children of ethnic minorities, to study medicine and be ready to work in the locality.

Like the teaching profession, the medical profession serves the public interest and ensures social security. The state's investment in medical students is an investment in public health.

Thank you!

Source: https://tienphong.vn/siet-dao-tao-nganh-y-duy-tri-chuan-chat-luong-nghiem-ngat-post1801327.tpo