OBJECTIVES: In the recent years the ambulatory care gained an increasing role in Hungary and also in other countries. It is a development opportunity considering professionally and economically at the same time for health care institutes to decrease the length of hospitalization through to care the most patient in an ambulatory way. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes of the income of health care professionals in ambulatory care in Hungary.

METHODS: Data derive from the database of the Health Registration and Training Center (OSAP Nr. 1626 data collection programme). We analyzed the following health care professionals working in ambulatory care: general practitioners, specialist physicians, dentists, specialist dentists, pharmacists, specialist pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, health visitors, ambulance men, nurses, midwives between 2010-2015. We calculated the changes of the weighted average basic salary and income in these professions. Our analysis also included items reported under governmental function, specialist duties and former specialist duties.

RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2015 the weighted average basic salary increased by +29.9% and the weighted average income increased by +31.9%. In 2010 and also in 2015 we observed the highest income by the specialist physicians (319,773 Ft; 490,725 Ft). In this period, we observed the greatest changes by the pharmacists and specialist pharmacists (+58%), by the specialist physicians (+53%) and by the midwives (+39%). The changes of the basic salary compared to income by the physiotherapists increased the greatest (+4.2%). In addition to the extra payment (scholarship) for resident doctors' education, the physicians’ basic salary and income also increased, but the basic salary compared to income decreased (-11,4%) by them.

CONCLUSIONS: Between 2010-2015 there was a remarkable increase in the income of some health care professionals in ambulatory care in Hungary. Further human resources development need to work our health system efficiently.