A doctor @wlenda.5, who recently homologated her Medical degree in Spain, shared a video on social media in which she describes her work experience as a family doctor in the Spanish public health system. Her testimony highlights the challenges and differences compared to medical practice in Cuba, generating interest among her followers.
"It was my first time in consultation after my degree was validated," the doctor commented in the video shared on her profile @drawlenda, explaining her first days in consultation after receiving the validation of her degree. "To work in Spain, there are two options: emergencies in public hospitals or in health centers, which are like polyclinics with different consultations. In emergencies, we work with Orion and in health centers with Abucasis."
One of the biggest challenges mentioned is time management: each patient has only 10 minutes for their consultation, which forces professionals to be very precise during the physical examination and diagnosis. "You don't have time to examine them from head to toe, forget about that. Get to the point, perform the maneuver you're going to do based on what they're telling you," he notes.
Additionally, it emphasizes that in Spain, family doctors must interpret tests such as electrocardiograms, bone densitometry, and X-rays by themselves. "Here, you have to interpret it yourself, because everything is recorded, and it carries your mark and your seal." It also mentions that the system is completely digitized, stating that "here you have to forget about the pen; everything is done on a computer. You have your printer, your desk, and everything set up there."
The doctor describes how in a typical consultation, patients present their symptoms, and while they speak, the physician must simultaneously type to record all the information in the system. "They tell you, ‘Doctor, I came because yesterday I was working at home and I started to feel pain in my lower back.’ That’s the reason for the consultation. Then you write the medical history, conduct the physical examination, and settle on a diagnosis. But you do all of this by typing while keeping an eye on the time."
Another aspect that stands out is the daily workload. "You have about 30 patients a day. Of those, 20 may be in-person, six by phone, and the others could be follow-ups. There are people who are on leave and are scheduled for you to assess whether they should continue or be discharged. You also have to prioritize emergencies that come in at the moment, patients with precordial pain or symptoms that require immediate attention."
Regarding medical decision-making, it warns that the professional must be very cautious. "Here, you are given a card where you enter your password on the keyboard, and you're signing everything as if it were a digital certificate. Don't let anyone come and tell you what treatment to prescribe. If the patient comes in saying, 'My psychologist told me to prescribe this,' let their psychologist handle it because everything you do is recorded under your name."
This testimony comes just a few weeks after the doctor shared her joy at receiving the validation of her degree in Spain after two and a half years of waiting. At that moment, she described the recognition of her training as "the best end-of-year gift," highlighting the complexity of the process and the uncertainty that many Cuban professionals in the same situation face.
The recognition of qualifications for Cuban doctors in Spain has been a topic of debate in recent years, as despite the law setting a maximum period of six months to resolve applications, in practice, the process often extends for several years. Last September, the Health Counselor of the Community of Madrid, Fátima Matute, urged the Spanish government to expedite these procedures, arguing that the shortage of doctors is impacting the public healthcare system.
The testimony of the Cuban doctor reflects the challenges faced by healthcare professionals when integrating into a different system, where digitalization and high demands in patient care are key. Her experience continues to generate interest and could serve as a reference for other doctors looking to validate their qualifications and practice in Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Experience of Cuban Doctors in Spain
How long does it take to homologate a medical degree in Spain for a Cuban doctor?
Despite the fact that the law sets a maximum period of six months, in practice, the process of validation for Cuban doctors in Spain can extend for several years. The average delay is around two years, although some cases may take up to five or seven years.
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban doctors working in Spain?
Cuban doctors in Spain face challenges such as managing time during consultations, which are only 10 minutes per patient, the need to interpret their own medical tests, and adapting to a fully digitized healthcare system. Furthermore, they must cope with a high workload, attending to around 30 patients daily.
What differences exist between medical practice in Cuba and Spain according to Cuban doctors?
According to Cuban doctors, medical practice in Spain is more digitized, with all medical records kept on computers. In addition, doctors must be more precise in their diagnoses due to the limited time per consultation and take responsibility for interpreting medical tests. These differences represent a significant shift compared to medical practice in Cuba.
How does the delay in the recognition of qualifications affect Cuban doctors in Spain?
The delay in the validation of degrees forces many Cuban doctors to work in jobs unrelated to their training, such as in hospitality, while they await the resolution of their applications. This situation is particularly concerning given the shortage of medical personnel in Spain, which impacts thousands of professionals who are hoping to practice their profession.
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