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Send our specialists!10 July 2007A potential surplus of doctors, health workers and nurses in Western nations could provide an answer to an imminent health crisis in developing countries, according to a survey amongst the general public conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Bupa. The World Health Report 2006 estimates that there is a shortage of around two million trained physicians in the developing world. In stark contrast, recent research by Professor Richard Scheffler and colleagues at University of California, Berkeley, highlights a current surplus of trained doctors in more developed countries.* The Bupa/Ipsos MORI survey said people see health as one of the biggest issues for developing countries. More than half of respondents said they strongly supported overseas placements for surplus doctors in a bid to help developing countries where HIV/AIDS and health are seen as some of the most pressing issues. In separate research, the BMA predicts that 58 percent of junior doctors are currently considering going overseas to continue training. Widely documented problems surrounding the new recruitment process for junior doctors have resulted in more than 30,000 applicants going for just 22,000 jobs. Bupa’s latest research was commissioned for today’s Bupa Health Debate, which brings together key influencers to discuss topical health issues. Speakers at the debate include Lord Crisp, former Chief Executive of the NHS, who will be providing an insight into how the government is approaching the issue of international healthcare supply and demand. Although doctors received the greatest support from respondents when asked which professionals, if Britain had a surplus, should be encouraged to help in more needy nations, family planning/sexual health workers (50 percent), health advisers (47 percent) and nurses (46 percent) followed closely behind. The support for healthcare professionals over other occupations such as engineers, police and senior civil servants, mirrors the perceived priorities for developing nations. HIV/AIDS topped the chart as one of the most pressing issues for six out of 10 people. Health in general (58 percent) and the inability to produce enough food (58 percent) came a close second before education (40 percent) and population growth (34 percent). The research reveals that just over four in five people (83 percent) agree that developed nations should help more needy nations. When asked which body should co-ordinate a response in the event of a worldwide health emergency, the spread of responses revealed a degree of confusion. Just over seven in 10 people would like to see a single body taking the lead, but one fifth does not know which organisation should handle this. The United Nations has the highest level of support (37 percent), followed by the Red Cross (20 percent) and the World Health Organisation (19 percent). On the subject of who should pay, a plurality (39 percent) feel that this should be the responsibility of a central international healthcare fund. Three in 10 (30 percent) favour providing the help at no cost, while one fifth (19 percent) think that the countries receiving help should contribute, but at a reduced rate. The full findings of the Ipsos MORI survey are being revealed at today’s Bupa Health Debate,"Do nothing or do no harm? – should doctors be allocated to needy nations and if so who pays?" which takes place at the Royal College of Physicians in London. The results will also be available to download at www.bupa.com. Back to the latest press releases
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