Cuban Doctor Shares Her Family Medicine Experience in Spain: "It's Nothing Like Back There"

A Cuban doctor, known as @wlenda.5 on social media, who recently had her medical degree recognized in Spain, has taken to video-sharing platforms to discuss her journey as a family physician within the Spanish public healthcare system. Her narrative highlights the challenges and stark contrasts with medical practice in Cuba, sparking curiosity among her audience.

In the video posted on her profile @drawlenda, she remarked, "It was my first time in consultation after my degree was homologated," describing her initial days on the job post-recognition. She explained the two pathways for practicing in Spain: working in public emergency rooms or health centers, akin to polyclinics with various specialized consultations. Emergency work involves the Orion system, whereas health centers use Abucasis.

One significant challenge she noted was time management: each patient is allotted merely 10 minutes, necessitating quick and accurate physical evaluations and diagnoses. "You don't have the luxury of examining from head to toe. Forget about that. Be precise, perform the necessary maneuvers based on what the patient describes," she advised.

Furthermore, she emphasized that family doctors in Spain must independently interpret tests such as electrocardiograms, bone densitometries, and X-rays. "Here, you have to interpret everything yourself because it all gets documented with your stamp and seal," she stated. She also pointed out the fully digital nature of the system, saying, "Forget about pens here; everything is done on a computer. You have your printer, your desk, everything set up."

The doctor detailed a typical consultation where patients describe their symptoms while the doctor simultaneously types to log the information. "They tell you, 'Doctor, I'm here because I was doing some work at home yesterday, and my lower back started hurting.' That's the reason for the visit. You then write the anamnesis, the physical exam, and decide on a diagnosis—all while keeping an eye on the clock."

She also highlighted the heavy daily workload. "You have around 30 patients a day. Of those, 20 might be in-person visits, six could be telephonic, and the rest might be follow-ups. Some are on medical leave, and you assess whether they continue or are discharged. You also have to prioritize any urgent cases that come up, like patients with precordial pain or symptoms needing immediate attention."

Regarding medical decision-making, she cautioned that professionals must be very careful. "You're given a card where you enter your key on the keyboard, signing everything as if it were a digital certificate. Don't let anyone tell you what treatment to prescribe. If a patient says, 'My psychologist told me to take this,' let the psychologist prescribe it because everything you do is recorded under your name."

This account comes weeks after the doctor expressed joy over her degree's recognition in Spain after a two-and-a-half-year wait. At that time, she described the acknowledgment of her training as "the best year-end gift," underscoring the complex process and uncertainty faced by many Cuban professionals in similar situations.

The process of degree recognition for Cuban doctors in Spain has been a contentious issue in recent years. Despite the legal stipulation of a six-month maximum for resolving applications, the reality often stretches to several years. Last September, Fátima Matute, the Health Counselor for the Community of Madrid, urged the Spanish government to expedite these procedures, citing that the doctor shortage was impacting the public health system.

The Cuban doctor's testimony sheds light on the challenges healthcare professionals face when adapting to a new system where digitalization and high standards of care are essential. Her experience continues to draw interest and could serve as a guide for other doctors seeking degree recognition to practice in Spain.