Regional Overview of Specific Populations, Workforce Considerations, Training, and Diseases in Latin America

Latin America has significant disparities that make the region vulnerable in the delivery of health care. There is a need to plan comprehensive health care strategies that result in a more robust trained health care workforce, while improving the quality and efficiencies of tertiary public hospitals. This article introduces a survey conducted among otorhinolaryngology leaders in the region that identified the need to strengthen postgraduate programs. Although all countries in Latin America have at least one residency program, more otorhinolaryngology-trained specialists are necessary to address the workforce shortages that are present in about 50% of Latin American countries.