Specialist doctors face looming staffing crisis in Iceland

Large numbers of specialist doctors are expected to retire within the next five to seven years, with no clear prospect of filling their positions, mbl.is reports. Vascular surgeon Stefán E. Matthíasson says the resulting shortage could lengthen waiting lists for healthcare.

“Without human resources, we are nothing. Competition for staff has become extremely fierce, not only domestically but also internationally,” Stefán told Morgunblaðið.

Primary healthcare is already struggling with staff shortages, and specialist doctors could face the same problem if no action is taken. Demand for specialist services is far greater than the healthcare system’s capacity, with long waiting lists already reported for some ophthalmologists, psychiatrists and neurologists.

“There is no solution in sight in the near term, and more specialties are gradually being added,” Stefán said.

Iceland’s population is ageing and growing, increasing demand for healthcare. Working hours have also generally become shorter, meaning more people are needed to do the same work as five or six years ago.

Stefán said policymakers needed to better understand the importance of integrating Landspítali, Iceland’s national hospital, primary healthcare and specialist doctors. He said specialist medical services had been treated as a low priority by many politicians.

Average age of specialists is 58

Skurðstofan ehf., where Stefán is managing director, operates alongside Lækning ehf., a reception unit for 12 medical specialties. The companies work closely together and are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.

About 40,000 patients use their services each year, and almost 3,000 surgical procedures are carried out annually.

Stefán said the companies had survived despite difficult periods, but he was concerned about the future of healthcare in Iceland, particularly specialist medical services.

“People have a right to healthcare, and the waiting lists in the system are naturally not a model to follow. Specialist doctors have carried a heavy burden over the years and shortened waiting lists. But there are warning signs,” he said.

The average age of doctors working under specialist agreements is now 58, Stefán said, and is considerably higher in some specialties.

There are currently 392 doctors with agreements with Sjúkratryggingar, Iceland’s national health insurance authority, to provide specialist medical services. Stefán said many work very limited hours, while recruitment had not been sufficient. The latest figures from Sjúkratryggingar indicate that services have contracted since last year, he said.

Concerns over policy

Stefán said political support for specialist medical services had often been weak and that the sector had faced difficulties until 2023. He also pointed to burdensome provisions introduced in recent years, including the transfer of malpractice insurance for self-employed doctors from insurance companies to Sjúkratryggingar, which he said had multiplied premiums.