Contemporary Trends in the Level of Staffing by General Practitioners in Krasnodar Krai

Aim. To evaluate the level of staffing by general practitioners (GP) in medical organizations in Krasnodar Krai.

Materials and methods. Indicators characterizing the level of staffing by GPs in Krasnodar Krai hospitals were analysed using data from the state statistical observation form No. 30 “Information about a medical organization” for the 2009–2019 period. According to the data derived from the Krasnodar Krai Patient Register as of 01.01.2020, all GPs were divided into groups in terms of the ratio of the number of served population and the recommended values. Using the data of the Regional Register of Medical Workers as of 01.01.2020, the age composition of GPs was analysed.

Results. As of 01.01.2020, Krasnodar Krai featured 228 medical organizations subordinate to the Krasnodar Krai Ministry of Healthcare. Of these, 58 have full-time GP positions. The overall number of GP positions comprises 294, which are currently taken by 198 specialists (1.1% of the total number of doctors and 1.9% of doctors providing medical care on an outpatient basis). Over the studied period, stable indicators of the provision of the Krasnodar Krai population by GPs were noted; however, the level of staffing by GPs in hospitals was decreasing. This indicates a growing trend in the lack of GPs. An analysis of the actual load of 198 GPs showed that, on average, 1 GP serves 1219 people. For 26.8% of GPs, the number of served population increased the recommended values by 1.5 times or more. As a result, over 100,000 adults in the region are served under the conditions of excessive workload on GPs. The average age of GP is 50.1 ± 0.9 years. Currently, more than 25% of GPs are working retirees by age. In the medium term, this value may exceed 50%. Considering specialists who are about to retire, the estimated need for GPs is 146 doctors.

Conclusion. In order to provide affordable and high-quality primary health care to the population in Krasnodar Krai, the number of GPs should be increased. In addition, measures should be taken to raise the attractiveness of work in Krasnodar Krai hospitals.