Narva Hospital Seeks New Ways to Attract Medical Specialists

Ida-Viru County needs doctors in almost every specialty, but finding a specialist is only half the challenge — convincing them to choose this particular region is the other half. Narva Hospital is grappling with exactly this problem as it tries to compete with major medical institutions in Tallinn and Tartu.

Since late August, Narva Hospital's internal medicine clinic has been led by Julia Borisova, who spent fifteen years at the North Estonia Medical Centre before her move. For now her life is split between two cities — she spends workdays in Narva and returns home to Tallinn on weekends. Borisova explained that Narva gives an experienced doctor a chance to implement ideas that didn't work out in a large clinic.

The hospital still lacks cardiologists, nephrologists and pulmonary specialists, and competition for such professionals is intensifying. Board member Jüllar Lanno noted that the University of Tartu produces fewer new specialists each year, and over the past five years the hospital has failed to bring in roughly 300 new colleagues.

Narva has an additional factor at play — a significant share of patients speak Russian, meaning a doctor here must not only be skilled but also able to understand patients. Yet even young doctors who grew up in Ida-Viru County and speak Russian don't always return after finishing medical studies; many stay in Tartu or Tallinn instead.

So Narva has to find its own advantages. Borisova believes a young doctor might find Narva appealing precisely because it offers the chance to take on varied tasks immediately, whereas at a large hospital with established hierarchies, more experienced doctors might block a newcomer from certain work.

There are also more tangible incentives: financial support, assistance from the city, and housing. The hospital itself is being renovated, with a new building already under construction. In recent months the hospital has managed to attract two promising doctors, which Lanno sees as evidence of genuine interest. He said the hospital must keep promoting what Narva offers — its cultural life, events and sports opportunities.

Schools, kindergartens, housing and family-friendly conditions — today a hospital must offer a doctor not just a job but a whole way of life, since a specialist first has to be persuaded to come, and then given a reason to stay.