[Are there too many doctors in Croatia?].

Estimates of the needs for education of physicians in Croatia must be based on analysis of population health condition and age structure, on the country's economic capacities on which the employment of those specialists depends, and on estimates of realistic educational capacities of the Croatian medical schools. Basic analysis of mentioned parameters indicates that in the upcoming decade there are no possibilities of more extensive employment. Thus, it is obvious that it is necessary to educate only a certain number of physicians: those which will serve as replacement for the deceased, retired or physicians leaving for other positions. To keep in mind--presently the unemployed physicians constitute a number which usually satisfies two-year needs for new employment. Thus it is recommended that the number of enrolled medical students in Croatia be reduced to around 400 students yearly. Together with a proper selection of candidates at admission, these would guarantee that about 320 students would be graduating eventually. This number does not include students from abroad, yet their number is almost inconsiderable according to the past few years and their studies are financed from separate funds. Medical studies should not be financed according to the number of enrolled students, because it stimulates larger enrollment, but according to the actual cost of the educational programme. Financing the programme, and not the number of students, would improve its quality and stimulate a larger number of highly skilled and competent students. Medical studies are expensive not only because of the length of the programme (6 years) but also because of the nature of these studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)