Tough medicine: “Serfdom” for doctors is leaving Russia's medical residency programs with a shortage of doctors
Russia’s medical universities have failed to fill their state-funded residency programs, with nearly 40% of targeted-training places remaining empty. Some universities have also struggled to fill fee-paying residency places. The shortfall follows the adoption of a new law that, starting with the current academic year, effectively binds future doctors to compulsory service. Residents in…
Russia's medical residency programs are facing a shortage of doctors due to a new "serf" system implemented in 2025. The reform, which affects state-funded residency programs, requires doctors to sign a targeted-training contract before completing their final assessment, effectively committing them to working wherever the state decides after graduation.
Those who fail to fulfill their service obligations must repay the state three times the cost of their education. While students in ordinary state-funded programs have more flexibility, those admitted through the general competition face restrictions on their career choices. The reform's goal is to address staff shortages, which the Health Ministry attributes to a 29,000-doctor and 63,000-mid-level medical worker shortfall.
The reform has already led to unfilled residency places at several universities, with some converting targeted-training spots into ordinary state-funded places. Despite the reform, Russian National Research Medical University named after N. I. Pirogov has only managed to fill 154 of its 974 targeted state-funded residency places, representing 16% of its original target.
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