# Medical residency and training challenges in Mexico andSpain > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/medical-residency-and-training-challenges-in-mexico-andspain > Updated: 2026-10-23T17:02:48.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Medical training programs in Mexico and Spain are facing scrutiny regarding the working conditions and roles of residents. In Mexico, specifically at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) in Morelos, residents report intense professional and emotional burdens. The training requires extreme discipline, research, and teaching responsibilities, often necessitating that residents live within hospitals for years. The high volume of residents is reportedly straining available resources and living conditions. In Spain, the MIR Association has raised alarms regarding the potential misuse of medical residents in regions such as Ceuta and the Canary Islands. Concerns include residents being assigned to roles outside their designations or being used to cover specialist vacancies during strikes. Additionally, reports from Navarra indicate difficulties in specialist retention, with only 31% of new specialists accepting positions with the regional health service. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Spanish medical associations raise concerns over resident training and staffing The MIR Association warns that Spanish medical residents are being used to cover specialist absences during strikes, potentially risking patient safety and training quality. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-medical-associations-raise-concerns-over-resident-training-and-staffing ### 2026-09-24: Medical residents in Mexico face intense training challenges Medical residents in Mexico face intense workloads, emotional stress, and personal sacrifices as they undergo specialized training in hospitals like those managed by IMSS. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medical-residents-in-mexico-face-intense-training-challenges --- Cite as: Medical residency and training challenges in Mexico andSpain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/medical-residency-and-training-challenges-in-mexico-andspain