Finnish medical students abroad may not return to Finland amid healthcare cuts

Finnish medical students studying abroad may not return to Finland for work if ongoing cuts to the public healthcare system continue. This warning comes from Jukka Mattila, head of the policy sector at the Finnish Medical Association. Mattila highlights that factors like the breadth of healthcare services and opportunities for education and work in health centers and hospitals significantly influence doctors’ decisions to return. He expressed concern over a proposal from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to reduce hospital services, as a recent government decision to cut and centralize basic and specialized healthcare emergency units further exacerbates these issues.

24-year-old Pinja Kankare, studying medicine in Denmark, has already considered whether she will return to Finland after graduation. Negative news about the public healthcare system has impacted her thoughts. “It’s really sad to read continuously about bad news,” she noted, emphasizing her desire to hear positive developments.

While she hasn’t closed the door on working as a temporary doctor in Finland, Kankare finds permanent employment unlikely due to the more favorable working conditions and environment in Denmark’s public healthcare. Fixed work in Finland seems less appealing, as flexible temp work offers better pay and autonomy.

Statistics reveal a significant increase in the number of licensed medical practitioners in Finland, with over 1,100 new doctors authorized last year— the highest number in Valvira’s history. While there are currently around 1,200 Finnish medical students studying abroad, Mattila suggests that many will likely return to work, with the exception of those in Sweden. For Kankare, a return to Finland hinges on restoring the public healthcare system, saying, “I genuinely hope Finland becomes an attractive place to work.”