HR expert named the most promising areas in medicine

Russia is particularly short of specialists in the fields of rehabilitation, medical psychology, neuropsychology and nutrition with medical education. On May 12, independent HR expert Anna Alikova told Izvestia about which new medical professions may become the most in demand.

According to her, there are especially not enough specialists working with patients after strokes, injuries and surgeries. At the same time, there are formally many nutritionists, but there are significantly fewer specialists with medical education among them.

"The new specialties are designed to close this "hole," said Alikova.

The expert believes that the most in demand will be a doctor of physical and rehabilitation medicine, a medical psychologist, a neuropsychologist and an ergorehabilitation specialist. The latter helps patients to relearn everyday skills after an illness — to walk, eat, dress and return to independence. According to Alikova, the emergence of new directions reflects a general shift in priorities in medicine — from treating the effects of diseases to prevention and maintaining the quality of life.

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"They used to be treated, but now they are trying to make sure that they don't get sick and live a long time," she explained.

For young doctors, new specialties can open up more comfortable career niches without night shifts and work in the ambulance. These include, in particular, nutrition, medical speech therapy, neuropsychology, private practice, and mentoring.

At the same time, according to the HR expert, new specialties will take time to be recognized in the healthcare system. Alikova also believes that expanding the list of areas should not lead to a shortage of narrow-profile care, unless hospitals start saving on staff and replacing several specialists with one universal.

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Mass retraining of doctors will begin soon.

On the same day, it was reported that from September 1, more than 10 new medical specialties and positions may appear in Russia. The list is planned to include such areas as medical biology, neuropsychology, nutrition, physical rehabilitation and others. There will also be positions of a doctor in the field of healthy longevity medicine and a nutritionist.