A CIOMS historical report on the highlights from XXth CIOMS Conference held in Acapulco, Mexico 7-12 September 1986.
The shortage of some categories of health workers remains a problem in many developing countries, while in some others and in a growing number of developed countries overproduction of certain categories of health professionals is causing increasing concern. In addition, there is frequently a discrepancy between the training health workers receive and the skills they need to provide health care for the needs of the population. Moreover, few countries have a manpower distribution pattern that conforms to community needs, whether such distribution is by geographical area, by occupation, by speciality or by type of health care setting. Furthermore, in some countries, even those facing an acute shortage of highly trained health workers, the so-called “brain drain” has traditionally been a well-recognized phenomenon.
In recognition of the importance of the above issues and in response to deep concern expressed by health leaders from both industrialized and developing countries about a glut of medical graduates in their countries, and consequently an unprecedented level of unemployment among medical and dental graduates, the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) organized, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), an international conference on “Health Manpower Out of Balance: Conflicts and Prospects”.
The Conference brought together about 120 health policymakers, physicians, dentists, nurses, medical students and educators of health personnel from 40 countries.