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

Authors

  • Nicole Desiree Vilchez Vásquez Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú
  • Nahile Ariadna Cadenillas Saldaña Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú
  • Leonardo Marcello Centeno Ricra Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú
  • José Manuel Vela Ruiz Hospital San Juan Lurigancho. Lima, Perú.
  • Felipe Armando Atuncar Quispe Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú
  • María del Socorro Alatrista Gutiérrez Vda. de Bambarén Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.254.010

Keywords:

rural urban service, health professionals in rural areas, Latin America, trends in rural service, perspectives of rural health policies.

Abstract

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 alternative
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 present
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.

Author Biographies

  • Nicole Desiree Vilchez Vásquez, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

    Estudiante investigadora, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas,
    Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú).
    nicole.vilchez@urp.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6871-2651

  • Nahile Ariadna Cadenillas Saldaña, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

    Estudiante investigadora, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas,
    Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú).
    201811881@urp.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7201-9919

  • Leonardo Marcello Centeno Ricra, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

    Estudiante investigador, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas,
    Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú).
    leonardo.centeno@urp.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0886-7552

  • José Manuel Vela Ruiz, Hospital San Juan Lurigancho. Lima, Perú.

    Médico cirujano. Especialista en Oncología Médica. Magíster en Gestión y Servicio
    en Salud. Doctor en Investigación. Investigador, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú). Departamento de Oncología y Prevención, Hospital Emergencias Villa El Salvador, Lima (Perú). jose.vela@urp.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1811-4682

  • Felipe Armando Atuncar Quispe, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

    Magíster Universitario en Gestión de la Calidad. Investigador, Instituto de
    Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina Humana,
    Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú). felipe.atuncar@urp.edu.pe.
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4839-7882

  • María del Socorro Alatrista Gutiérrez Vda. de Bambarén, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Perú

    Doctora en Medicina. Especialista en Administración en Salud. Decana, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima (Perú).
    maria.alatrista@urp.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6312-4030

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Section

NARRATIVE REVIEW

How to Cite

Analysis of the Rural Urban Marginal Service for Physicians in Latin America: A Bibliographic Review. (2026). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 42(2), 534-554. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.254.010

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