The dynamics of provision of population of the Russian Federation with otorhinolaryngologists in 2018–2023

The most acute problem of state health care system is shortage of medical personnel, both physicians and paramedics. The purpose of the study is to assess dynamics of personnel support with otolaryngologists in medical organizations of the Russian Federation for 2018-2023. The retrospective analytical descriptive study was carried out using continuous method based on studying dynamics of personnel support with otolaryngologists in the Russian Federation in general, Federal Okrugs and particular Subjects of the Russian Federation for 2018-2023. The calculation of dynamics of population provision with otolaryngologists per 10 thousand of population and dynamics of the number of otolaryngologists in medical organizations of state and non-state ownership was carried out. In the Russian Federation, level of population provision with otolaryngologists in 2018-2023 decreased from 0.62 to 0.61 per 10 thousand of population/ In some Subjects this indicator increased and in others decreased that testifies existence of internal labor migration of specialists. The largest increase in the number of otolaryngologists was established in Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad Oblast and Sakhalin Oblast and some other Subjects, the most attractive ones in terms of salaries, work conditions, social guarantees and other privileges. Besides, taking into account the number of otolaryngologists working in both state and non-state medical organizations, their number in the Russian Federation in 2018-2023 increased from 13,222 to 14,548 specialists. At the same time, there is significant outflow of otolaryngologists into non-state medical organizations. In 2018, the percentage of otolaryngologists working in non-state medical organizations made up to 20.8% and in 2023 28.3%. The three regions with the lowest level population of provision with otolaryngologists in 2023 were the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.2 per 10 thousand of population), the Republic of Khakassia (0.36 per 10 thousand of population) and the Kurgan Oblast (0.39 per 10 thousand of population). The three Oblasts with highest level of population provision with otolaryngologists are the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (1.09 per 10 thousand of population), the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (1.05 per 10 thousand of population) and St. Petersburg (1.03 per 10 thousand of population). It is established that, despite slight decrease in population provision with otolaryngologists in 2018-2023, their labor migration to regions with higher level of social economic development, as well as outflow to non-governmental medical organizations within the region continued to take place. The manpower policy currently implemented in the Russian Federation regarding medical workers brought no expected results. The results demonstrated imbalance in provision with otolaryngologists and different levels of their deficiency in particular regions that emphasizes importance of individualized and comprehensive approach to personnel provision in each region.