New institutes for assessing the qualifications of medical specialists: functions and significance

Abstract

Introduction. Accreditation and certification for the qualification category are the main institutions that provide assessment of the qualifications of medical specialists. Nevertheless they are not effective enough. Therefore, hopes are pinned on new institutions, namely an independent assessment of qualifications and certification for obtaining the status of “Moscow Doctor”. The purpose of the study is to identify to what extent the institutes of independent assessment of the qualifications (IAQ) of medical specialists and their certification for the status of a Moscow doctor correspond to the purpose based on the analysis from the point of view of the functions performed and the approaches implemented to the assessment of qualifications. Material and methods. The study was based on regulatory documents of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation and the Government of Moscow. The statistical base was made up of data from Rosstat and departmental statistics of the Moscow Department of Health, and materials of sociological surveys conducted by the method of expert interviews. Results. The institute of IAQ is at an experimental stage. The analysis of the pilot projects was carried out in two directions: what functions the institute should perform and what circumstances caused the delay in its implementation. It is established that this institute does not provide specialists with a significant social status. The prolonged terms of its development are caused by managing difficulties, including the long approval of professional standards. The certification for the status of “Moscow doctor” introduced into practice is similar in function to the certification for the qualification category and can be considered as its element of a higher level. Limitations. The study of new institutions for assessing the qualifications of medical specialists is limited to an analysis of their functions. The expert interview method is not designed to obtain quantitative estimates. Conclusion. New institutes of qualification assessment have actualized a number of controversial issues. This is a question of a preferred assessment based on a specialty (accreditation) or position (IAQ). The Institute of certification for the status of “Moscow Doctor” made a contribution to the discussion on the preservation or cancellation of certification for the qualification category.