The Association points to two factors for the positive development: the first is the better availability of substitute physicians to fill staffing gaps. The second is the fact that many municipalities have outsourced doctors' tasks to private doctor staffing companies.
This fall there were 250 unfilled physician's positions in the public sector. Nonetheless, this is a far cry from the 408 unfilled posts a year ago. The Päijät-Häme region in south-central Finland has managed to fill all of its positions.
Some areas are still struggling, however. The northern Karelian region in eastern Finland is still unable to staff 23 percent of its doctor's posts.
The public health care sector has long struggled with finding enough doctors to fill shifts, while the private sector has lured many physicians with better pay and working hours.