Characterization of the number, distribution and pertinence of pediatricians in Colombia. 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Health human resources estimation and planning in the country require analyzing the relationship between socio-demographic and epidemiological aspects of the population, as well as the supply of health services in different territories.Objective: To analyze the number, distribution and pertinence of pediatricians in Colombia.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. Data obtained from different sources were aggregated and refined to obtain a single base that allowed conducting an analysis of the number and distribution of pediatricians in Colombia and, in this way, make an approximation of the census of Colombian pediatricians.Results: By 2017, there were 3 398 pediatricians in Colombia. Most pediatricians worked in Bogotá D.C. and in the departments of Antioquia and Valle del Cauca. In contrast, in the departments of Vichada and Vaupés, there were no pediatricians and this service was not available.Conclusion: The distribution of pediatricians in Colombia depends more on the dynamics of healthcare service providers than on the health care needs of children in the different regions of the country. Therefore, the implementation of new policies aiming at achieving a better distribution of the available resources is required to strengthen local authorities and to regulate the provision of pediatric care services throughout the country according to the multiple health needs of each region.