The section on infectious diseases of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS-ID) has conducted a study warning that Spain still lacks a regulated MIR specialty in infectious diseases to train young medical specialists in facing new challenges in the field. This research was presented at the annual Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID 2025) on Monday. The study analyzed the training and evaluation programs for international young doctors aiming to become specialists in infectious diseases by 2024.
The findings show that 27 European countries recognize infectious diseases as an independent medical specialty, with seven considering it a subspecialty. However, Spain does not officially recognize it as either. Despite this, Spanish specialists in infectious diseases are among the top 5 in Europe and top 10 globally in scientific production.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for a formal medical training program in Spain to better prepare for future pandemics and health crises. Without official recognition of the specialty, attracting new professionals and ensuring generational turnover becomes challenging. The study also highlights the importance of standardizing training and setting common minimum criteria as there are significant differences in program durations among countries. Less than 25% of countries offer the recommended six months of training in Clinical Microbiology, crucial for proper infection management.
The next step towards harmonizing training in infectious diseases is to update European Training Requirements (ETR) and introduce the first European certification exam in the specialty by 2025.
A Shared Claim
Various international organizations, including UEMS, ESCMID, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), have long advocated for the establishment of the infectious diseases specialty in Spain. The results of this research underscore the essential nature of creating the specialty to ensure that patients with infections, especially severe and complex ones, are treated by professionals with comprehensive training, improving their chances of recovery and survival.
It is advocated for a five-year MIR training program over a two-year Area of Specific Training (ACE) option, which would be insufficient to equip young specialists with the necessary training for new infectious challenges. Moreover, creating the specialty would be cost-efficient, with a 40% reduction in spending per position compared to ACE programs, as infectious disease services are available in all regions with established services and/or units in hospitals.
It is imperative to swiftly move towards establishing an MIR specialty in Spain to guarantee uniform training, strengthen response capabilities to potential pandemic pathogens, and align the healthcare system with European standards. The specialty is not only a professional demand but a necessity for the healthcare system and patients, concludes SEIMC president Federico García.
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