Doctors in uniform earn up to 19%. less than civilians. Alarming WIM report

Military doctors, depending on their specialization and rank, earn on average 4%. up to 19 percent less than the minimum remuneration of a civilian doctor specified in the act – said on Thursday the director of the Military Medical Institute – National Research Institute, General Grzegorz Gielerak.

In the report “Restore rank, retain talents – a strategy for revitalizing the medical corps of the Polish Armed Forces” presented on Thursday the situation of the military health service was described as critical. It was noted that of the 1,506 medical positions planned in the structures of the Polish Army, only 888 positions, i.e. 59 percent, have been filled. It was noted that psychiatric support is particularly critical – there are only 13 specialists in active service, and about 20 doctors are undergoing specialization.

Co-author of the report, Lt. Gen. Prof. Ph.D. n. med. Grzegorz Gielerak, said that the earnings of doctors in the army depend on specialization and military rank are lower from 4 to 19 percent. from the minimum salarywhich is established by the Act on Minimum Wage in Health Care.

He emphasized that the remuneration of military doctors would not reach the level of the remuneration of civilian doctors. At the same time, he presented a proposal to compensate for these differences. This includes: financial, motivational and retention bonuses.

– We want to reward all the competencies that are important from the military and medical point of view, and which a doctor acquires during his service, he said.

He added that a military doctor could receive a bonus of PLN 50,000-70,000 every six years. PLN, which would equalize the disproportions on the civil market.

The report shows that The personnel crisis in the army is not limited to the issue of remuneration. 44 percent military doctors point out that they are excessively burdened with administrative and logistical tasks, and only 13 percent indicates the level of remuneration as a priority issue. The report shows a “deep competence crisis” – 38 percent. officers' doctors consider their own preparation for military operations to be insufficient.

This was confirmed by conference participants who spoke about the impossibility of continuing clinical activities in the military system, including: practicing at the operating table.

Gielerak said that a clear career path for a military doctor should be established. The model he presented assumes five stages spread over 24 yearsincluding adaptation to military structures, specialization training, independent clinical practice, managerial positions and the last – the stage of an experienced specialist and mentor. He emphasized that the army can compete with the civilian system, among others. training offer at home and abroad within the NATO structure. The proposal also includes, among others: shortening the period of specialization in the army.

Gielerak pointed out that Most young doctors want to retire after reaching 15 years of service.

– The most important changes must take place in the next two or three years – he added.

The report was presented at the headquarters of the Military Medical Institute – National Research Institute in Warsaw on Thursday during the 2nd Annual Conference “Military doctor in the shadow of deficit – motivations, barriers and importance for state security”. (PAP)

kno/ joz/