Keywords: Rural general practitioner shortage, Primary care policy, Latvia, General Practitioner recruitment and retention

Background:

Latvia faces a growing shortage of general practitioners (GPs), with about one-third of the workforce at or beyond retirement age. This is exacerbated by a limited influx of new professionals and unequal regional distribution, undermining the sustainability and accessibility of primary healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Addressing this challenge requires targeted policy measures to support GP recruitment and retention.

Aim of the study:

To assess how Latvia’s national policy documents from 2017 to 2024 address mechanisms for recruiting and retaining GPs, especially in rural and remote regions.

Methodology:

A qualitative analysis was conducted on four key national-level policy documents:

1. The Conceptual Report on Healthcare System Reform (2017);
2. Public Health Guidelines 2021–2027;
3. Health Workforce Development Strategy 2025–2029;
4. Informative Report on Strengthening Primary Healthcare (2024).

Each document was reviewed for problem identification, proposed mechanisms, financial provisions, and institutional responsibilities.

Results:

All documents recognize GP shortages and propose measures such as: incentivizing rural practice for residents, municipal support (e.g., housing, workspaces), expanding residency capacity, prioritizing GP roles, and leveraging EU funds for workforce development. However, only the 2024 Informative Report presents a coordinated, multi-dimensional action plan. Earlier documents emphasize strategic direction but lack financial commitments, implementation details, and timelines.

Conclusions:

Although GP shortages are acknowledged across all documents, only the 2024 policy outlines a cohesive response. The absence of sustained financing, particularly in earlier plans, threatens the success of long-term goals. Notably, no document includes measures to attract medical students to general practice, highlighting a critical gap. Without early-stage interventions, efforts to strengthen the GP workforce may fall short.