Version 1998
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L’ASSOCIATION MIDICALE MONDIALE. INC ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL. INC
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
B. P. 63 – 01212 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE Cedex, France
28, avenue des Alpes· 01210 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE, France
Telephone : 04 50 40 75 75
FIx : 04 50 40 59 37
October 1998
Cable Address:
WOMEDAS, Ferney·Voltaire
E-mail acklre$S:wmaOiprolink.fr
101180
Original: English
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WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION
ON
THE MEDICAL WORKFORCE
Adopted by the 50th
WMAGeneral Assembly
Ottawa, Canada, October 1998
The WMA hereby resolves that the production of medical doctors must be carefully
planned with a long-term view.
In order to achieve this objective, representatives of the medical profession must
possess a clear overview ofthe medical workforce situation, including
• the existing number of doctors
• the age distribution and retirement trends ofthe existing medical population
• the estimated future need for doctors
• the capacity of the physician education system
• the possible migration trends
• the pattern ofphysician specialization and sub-specialization
• the appropriate role of non-physician health care providers
The training of a fully competent medical specialist, from start to completion, takes a
considerable duration of time, and medical workforce planning must reflect this fact.
Corrections in the production and supply of medical personnel cannot be made quickly,
but must take into account this time frame.
The WMA encourages regional consideration of workforce issues and will seek to
convene an international conference at an appropriate time to examine these problems
and develop consensus concerning proposed solutions.
The WMA will continue its discussion with the WHO and other relevant organizations
regarding this topic.
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