Plan Marta Abreu y su contribución a la descentralización de los estudios médicos en Cuba

Background: the study deals with the actions for decentralizing medical studies in Cuba, and the process of organization and foundation of the School of Medicine at the former province of Las Villas. Objective: to identify significant events that characterized the action plan which was implemented during the emergence and development of medical studies at the Central University of Las Villas. Methods: a documentary analysis was conducted, as well as interviews with key informants who could provide reliable information on the events that occurred during that significant period. Theoretical methods were also used, which allowed the analysis of the study objective based on the interaction of the historical and logical aspects, and from temporal and spatial dimensions. A methodological triangulation was subsequently conducted to arrive at integrative considerations. Results: the historical background of medical studies in Cuba are dealt with, as well as the development of the decentralization policy in teaching, the emergence of the School of Medicine at the Central University of Las Villas, and the Marta Abreu Plan as a strategy for the foundation and consolidation of medical studies in this province. The study reveals the elements that characterized it and the differences with the Santiago Plan. Conclusions: the third School of Medicine in the country was founded by the Marta Abreu Plan, a program designed and developed by Dr. Ricardo Jorge Oropesa. It had distinctive elements that met the needs of this context, and made possible the implementation and consolidation of the decentralization of medical studies in Cuba. Antecedentes: el estudio aborda las acciones emprendidas para la descentralización de los estudios médicos en Cuba, y el proceso de organización y fundación de la Escuela de Medicina en la entonces provincia de Las Villas. Objetivo: identificar hechos relevantes que distinguieron el plan de acción ejecutado durante el surgimiento y desarrollo de los estudios de Medicina en la Universidad Central de Las Villas. Métodos: se realiza análisis documental y entrevistas a informantes claves que podían brindar información fidedigna sobre los hechos ocurridos en ese trascendental momento, además se emplean métodos teóricos que permiten el análisis del objetivo de estudio sustentado en la interacción de lo histórico y lo lógico, y desde las dimensiones temporal y espacial. Luego se efectúa triangulación metodológica para arribar a consideraciones integrad