Labor characteristics and postgraduate studies of human resources in health in eight Latin American countries

Abstract

Introduction: Most research shows the situation of first world countries regarding human resources of health; therefore, it is necessary to characterize our Latin American reality. Objective: To characterize the type of work and post-graduate training of health human resources in eight Latin American countries. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out, through self-applied surveys on the characteristics of its work center, and post-graduate training that them has had. Results: Of the 1283 people who responded to the survey, 87.1% worked in a hospital (average monthly salary: 840 dollars), 23.3% also worked in a clinic (average monthly salary: 1200 dollars). In addition, only 20.5% worked in an establishment of the first level of care (average monthly salary: 420 dollars). 31.2% had completed a post-graduate course, 23.2% had a diploma, 17.8% had a master’s degree and 5.1% had a doctoral degree. Conclusions: The human resources in health work mainly in hospitals and the salaries are different according to the place where they work. The physicians are those who have higher remuneration, but in the private sector the salaries are more similar than in the other sectors. Less than a third have taken courses or other academic activities, having been completed several years ago. This serves to improve the work and training characteristics.

Keywords

• health services research
• health systems
• health workforce
• latin america
• multicenter study
• professional training