Analysis of the trend in indicators of staffing of district physicians, general practitioners, and pulmonologists providing primary health care to the adult population

Introduction. The basis for managing primary health care for the adult population, including pneumonia, is the resource base of the healthcare system, the basic element being human resources. The problem of shortage and rational structure of doctors providing care in outpatient settings remains relevant despite the implementation of personnel policy measures.

The purpose is to conduct an analysis and evaluate the trend in the human resources potential of medical institutions providing primary health care to the adult population of St. Petersburg for pneumonia, for 2015–2024.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted based on data from federal statistical observation form No. 30 “Information on a medical organization” for 2015–2024 in St. Petersburg using statistical, analytical. and comparative methods.

Results. In the structure of doctors providing primary health care to the adult population for pneumonia on a district basis, an imbalance in staffing was revealed with a predominance of district general practitioners (82.2%). Over 10 years, a trend towards an increase in the staffing and provision of district general practitioners was found (by 19.8% and 45.1%, respectively). A similar trend is observed among general practitioners, but it is less pronounced; there is a shortage of doctors in this specialty (staffing rate is 75.1%). The number of individuals working as pulmonologists has increased by 30.0% over 10 years, which is reflected in the growth of staffing and provision of the population with these specialists (by 22.4% and 23.0%, respectively).

Limitations. The research materials are limited to the results of the analysis of the human resources potential involved in providing primary health care to the adult population in the territory of St. Petersburg, including for pneumonia, based on form No. 30 for 10 years.

Conclusion. In St. Petersburg, despite the trend toward increasing staffing levels and the availability of primary care physicians and pulmonologists, the issue of staff shortages and imbalances remains pressing, necessitating a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem.

Compliance with ethical standards. This study does not require a conclusion from the Local Ethics Committee.

Contribution of the authors:
Kareva A.A. — research concept and design, writing the text, compilation of the list of literature, statistical data processing;
Klyukovkin K.S. — research concept and design, editing;
Kochorova L.V. — collecting and processing of material, writing the text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: August 13, 2025 / Accepted: April 24, 2026 / Published: July 28, 2026

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