Analysis of the Rural Urban Marginal Service for Physicians in Latin America: A Bibliographic Review

Vásquez N.D.V.; Saldaña N.A.C.; Ricra L.M.C.; Ruiz J.M.V.; Quispe F.A.A.; de Bambarén M.S.A.G.V. · Salud Uninorte (2026) · DOI: 10.14482/sun.42.02.254.010

Resumen

Introduction: The Rural Urban Service (RUS) has emerged as an effective solution to address inequalities in access to health services worldwide. In Latin America, the disparity in healthcare access between urban and rural areas is a constant concern. The RUS is presented as a promising alternati-ve to address existing inequalities, although its implementation and effectiveness vary considerably between countries, influenced by diverse economic and social factors. Methods: A bibliographic review of the literature on the Rural Urban Service for health professionals in Latin America was conducted. The objective is to evaluate the characteristics of the different RUS along with their contributions and limitations. To achieve this, academic sources that provide relevant information on the subject have been reviewed. Results: It was evident that rural or social service programs for physicians in Latin America pre-sent significant variations between countries. These discrepancies are influenced by factors such as demographics, geographic coverage, economy conditions, and the health policies of each nation. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the RUS varies according to the public health policy of each country. Differences in terms of duration, mandatory nature, incentives and working conditions reflect the influence of local needs, economic conditions and political priorities. In many cases, these systematic problems prevent the retention of physicians in remote areas, which is counterproductive to the primary objective of these programs.

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma