RSU, Ministry of Health, and healthcare institutions discuss residency process challenges

On 3 April, a meeting was held at the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Pharmaceutical Education and Research Centre, bringing together RSU students, the leadership of the Department of Residency, and representatives from the Ministry of Health and various healthcare institutions.

The event was opened by RSU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dins Šmits, who underscored the importance of the professional, communication, and collaboration skills that students develop during their residency.

Dean of the Department of Residency, Prof. Ilze Grope, introduced the planned framework for the unified residency admission process for the 2025/2026 academic year. Drawing on prior experience, she outlined key success stories, common challenges, and potential risks faced by both residents and healthcare institutions. Currently, 79% of all medical residents in Latvia are studying at RSU.

Kristīne Kļaviņa, Head of the Sectoral Human Resources Development Division at the Ministry of Health, stressed the significance of close cooperation with healthcare institutions to ensure effective residency planning. According to current data, 78% of residents are placed in hospitals, 16% in general practitioners’ practices, and 6% in outpatient medical institutions.

The event concluded with a discussion session, where students engaged directly with healthcare institution representatives to exchange experiences and explore specific aspects of the residency process.