CROSS-COUNTRY WAGE COMPARISONS FOR HEALTH WORKERS

Abstract

The authors performed international comparative analysis of wages of medical personnel. One of reasons for that was to understand if Russian trends in this area comply with global standards. Various methodological approaches served as a basis for obtaining comparative data describing level and dynamics of wages of medical personnel in Russia and in countries with the developed and transitional economies. The authors focused on the fact that while performing international comparisons of wages in healthcare system (not to mention when making contensive conclusions based on comparison results) one should take into account national specifics in labour remuneration mechanisms, specific categories of doctors and nurses, differences in the healthcare system and statistical observation in general. Using statistical information from several international organizations and the Rosstat the authors state that although there are certain similarities in the functions, Russian doctors earn considerably less than their foreign colleagues. However, it should be noted that work week in Russia is shorter than in many foreign countries. The article describes the tendency to widen the gap between wages of general practitioners and specialists. Wages of Russian nurses as well as doctors fall behind those of their colleagues from leading foreign countries. Nevertheless, while performing international comparative analysis it is important to keep in mind that attainment level of Russian medical personnel and the scope of medical services they perform are also lower.