Crisis and transformation of the medical residency system in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: For decades, the medical residency system in Argentina was the main and most highly valued route for training specialists. Regulated by the Ministry of Health, these programs offered a comprehensive model of theoretical and practical training in hospital settings. However, since 2021 there has been a sustained drop in the number of applicants, which shows a change in students' perception of this traditional format.
Development: The admissions process included a national exam, academic records and interviews. The training combined clinical rotations, professional supervision, constant evaluation and long on-call hours. Despite this, future doctors began to question the usefulness of the system in the face of current working conditions. Data collected between 2014 and 2024 showed a downward trend in enrolments from 2021 onwards, with a slight upturn in 2024. At the same time, the participation of foreign graduates remained high, especially from Latin American countries, who occupied more than 30% of the places offered.
Conclusions: It was concluded that medical residency, although still in force, lost its appeal for many 6th year students. Precariousness, low pay and the search for a better quality of life explained this phenomenon. Alternatives such as private practice, working abroad or training outside the system began to gain ground. Faced with this transformation, it became urgent to modernize the system and adapt it to new professional and human demands.