The fourth day of the MIR 2025 placement process has brought significant developments as over 2,782 places out of 9,007 available have been assigned, marking 31% of the total. The Ministry of Health reported that the highly sought-after specialty of Ophthalmology was filled on this day, becoming the third specialty to complete its offerings after Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.
On the first day of the process, Dermatology filled its 131 places, with the last position going to applicant number 542. This is a notable improvement from last year when Dermatology was filled by applicant number 648. Similarly, Plastic Surgery completed its allocation on the second day, with the last position assigned to applicant number 743, compared to 1,090 in the previous year.
Dermatology is not only the most popular specialty but also continues to show a trend of increasing demand. According to the Spanish MIR Association (AME), this year reflects a consolidation of the trend observed in previous years, with Dermatology being referred to as 'the queen' among specialties. The association noted that the number of applicants required to secure a spot has decreased significantly, indicating heightened competition.
Ophthalmology's swift completion of its 203 places on the fourth day further underscores the growing interest in surgical specialties. As of now, Cardiology has reached a remarkable 98% occupancy of its places, while Anesthesiology and Resuscitation stands at 76%. However, some specialties, such as Family and Community Medicine, are lagging with only 60 applicants out of 2,508 places, representing a mere 2% of its offering.
Other surgical specialties like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery have also seen a high preference, with 98% of its 40 places already assigned. In contrast, specialties such as Clinical Analysis, Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pharmacology, Immunology, Occupational Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology have yet to fill any places.
The distribution of places is heavily concentrated in certain regions, with Madrid leading the way. The latest report indicates that Madrid has assigned 383 places, followed by Catalonia with 200, Andalusia with 197, Valencia with 150, and the Basque Country with 90. Together, these five autonomous communities account for 73.33% of the 1,391 places assigned in the first two days.
In terms of hospitals, the Hospital de La Paz in Madrid has been the most popular choice among applicants, with 70 selecting it as their preferred location. It is followed closely by Hospital 12 de Octubre with 66 selections and Hospital Gregorio Marañón with 61. Other notable hospitals include Clínico de Barcelona and Hospital de La Fe in Valencia, with 55 and 50 selections respectively.
The MIR placement process is scheduled to last for a total of 16 days, concluding on May 28, 2025. After this period, residents will begin their specialized training on June 5 and 6, 2025, and will become specialists by 2029 or 2030, depending on their chosen specialty.
As the process continues, the AME warns that unless significant staffing increases are made in necessary areas, there could be a scenario where many professionals in certain specialties may find themselves without stable employment or may even be compelled to emigrate.
Overall, the MIR 2025 placement process reflects a competitive landscape, with certain specialties gaining popularity while others struggle to attract applicants. The ongoing trend of preference for surgical and high-demand specialties is evident, shaping the future of medical training in Spain.
