Acute shortage of osteopaths emerges in Russian state clinics
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, there is a serious shortage of specialists in the fields of osteopathy and manual therapy within Russia's state healthcare system. Statistics collected by the agency for the period from 2022 to 2024 confirm that it is becoming increasingly difficult to receive care from such doctors free of charge.
Osteopathy is a treatment method based on manual manipulation of a patient's bones, joints, and muscles. Despite the high popularity of these services among the public, state polyclinics are unable to provide them to everyone who wants them. In most regions of the country, the number of staff osteopaths remains extremely low, which creates long waiting lists and limits the accessibility of medical care.
Experts note that the main reason for the current situation is a shortage of qualified personnel and an insufficient number of state-funded training positions for these specialties. Many doctors prefer to work in private medical centers, where working conditions and pay levels are often more attractive than in the public sector.
For many Russians, the situation means that high-quality treatment for musculoskeletal disorders is becoming a financial burden. Patients are forced to turn to private clinics, where the cost of a single appointment can be high, making professional osteopathic care practically inaccessible to broad segments of the population.
At the moment, the Ministry of Health continues to study the problem in order to find ways to attract specialists to state institutions. However, no concrete solutions that could quickly change the situation have been proposed yet. Residents of the country are advised to check the availability of specialists in their local polyclinics in advance, as the situation regarding the accessibility of care remains strained.