More Specialist Doctors Project: Innovation in Continuing Education for Medical Specialists in Brazil
1
Labor Management and Education in Health, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3638
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The sustainability of public health systems relies on equitably distributed, qualified medical specialists. While medical residency remains the gold standard for training, the lack of post-residency continuing education challenges care quality (1). In Brazil's context of regional inequalities, the Ministry of Health launched the More Specialist Doctors Project in 20252 to provide, retain, and qualify the specialized medical workforce.
METHODS:
Structured as a professional development program, the project integrates clinical practice with continuous education. It partners with public/private teaching hospitals and medical societies to decentralize specialized care and retain physicians in remote areas. Training hubs offer remote clinical discussions, mentoring, in-person immersions at excellence centers, and ongoing supervision. Participants dedicate 20 weekly hours: 16 to direct public health care and 4 to educational activities. Funded by the Ministry of Health, it offers 16 courses in priority specialties for SUS work (2,3).
RESULTS:
The implementation of the More Specialist Doctors Project consolidated partnerships between the public and private sectors, involving centers of excellence, public university hospitals, and medical societies. The courses, structured with an emphasis on in-service teaching, promoted a direct impact on the qualification of care. The most sought-after courses were: Anesthesiology and Safe Sedation (16%), Minimally Invasive General Surgery (10%), Colposcopy (15%), and Interventional Breast Ultrasound (13%), totaling 54% of the positions. The distribution across priority territories was based on the need to reduce waiting times and equity criteria. More than 25,000 specialized care procedures have already been recorded, expanding access and contributing to the reduction of waiting lists in the SUS (4,5).
CONCLUSIONS:
The More Specialist Doctors Project innovatively combines workforce provision, continuing education, and care qualification, sustainably improving SUS quality and access.
The sustainability of public health systems relies on equitably distributed, qualified medical specialists. While medical residency remains the gold standard for training, the lack of post-residency continuing education challenges care quality (1). In Brazil's context of regional inequalities, the Ministry of Health launched the More Specialist Doctors Project in 20252 to provide, retain, and qualify the specialized medical workforce.
METHODS:
Structured as a professional development program, the project integrates clinical practice with continuous education. It partners with public/private teaching hospitals and medical societies to decentralize specialized care and retain physicians in remote areas. Training hubs offer remote clinical discussions, mentoring, in-person immersions at excellence centers, and ongoing supervision. Participants dedicate 20 weekly hours: 16 to direct public health care and 4 to educational activities. Funded by the Ministry of Health, it offers 16 courses in priority specialties for SUS work (2,3).
RESULTS:
The implementation of the More Specialist Doctors Project consolidated partnerships between the public and private sectors, involving centers of excellence, public university hospitals, and medical societies. The courses, structured with an emphasis on in-service teaching, promoted a direct impact on the qualification of care. The most sought-after courses were: Anesthesiology and Safe Sedation (16%), Minimally Invasive General Surgery (10%), Colposcopy (15%), and Interventional Breast Ultrasound (13%), totaling 54% of the positions. The distribution across priority territories was based on the need to reduce waiting times and equity criteria. More than 25,000 specialized care procedures have already been recorded, expanding access and contributing to the reduction of waiting lists in the SUS (4,5).
CONCLUSIONS:
The More Specialist Doctors Project innovatively combines workforce provision, continuing education, and care qualification, sustainably improving SUS quality and access.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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