The Polish Ministry of Health is planning to reinstate the oral examinations for medical specialization, which were eliminated in 2022. Under the current regulations, doctors who correctly answer at least 75% of questions in the written part of the exam are exempt from the oral section. The ministry believes that restoring this oral examination will allow for better evaluation of aspiring specialists' knowledge. However, resident doctors are strongly opposed to this change.

Resident doctors, represented by Sebastian Goncerz from the Union of Resident Doctors, argue that previous examination data demonstrates that the oral component is unnecessary. Doctors who scored well on the written portion also performed strongly in the oral tests, suggesting that the written exam is a reliable indicator of a candidate's capability. They emphasize that the reinstatement of the oral exam could create unnecessary stress and barriers for those attempting to specialize in various medical fields, particularly when the written tests have proven effective.

The debate surrounding the restructuring of the exams highlights broader issues within the Polish healthcare system, including the training and evaluation of medical professionals. With many doctors advocating for a system that reflects their established success, the ministry's push for an oral component may ultimately face strong opposition from the healthcare community, indicating a need for a more thorough discussion on the best practices for evaluating medical knowledge and competence.