Brain of Millionaires

International Medical Students And Young Physician Program Benefits

By Christine Thomas


While there are currently a number of doctors working in cities, towns and rural towns, there is a huge shortage of general practitioners and specialists in many areas. In fact, the United States will most likely need up 120,000 additional doctors, specialists and primary care physicians by the year 2030. As a result, there is an international medical students and young physician program forming in the country.

It is hoped that a number of international medical graduates may actually be able to play an integral role in alleviating the crisis. Recent reports show that students attending International schools of medicine are more likely to go into primary care, especially in rural areas where the need is greatest than those whom graduate in the United States. While there is a shortage of doctors, the problem is more the distribution of medical staff to various geographic areas.

Other reasons for the shortage include a number of limited positions being available at hospitals hosting residency programs. In addition, most programs of residency focus on specialties rather than primary care. Training being out of alignment with current health care utilization is another issue which contributes to the problem. For, if there are no primary care providers, it can be difficult for an individual to obtain a referral to a specialist.

The senior population is forecast to grow above fifty percent over the next 12 years. Whereas, the under 18 population is only forecast to grow by 3 percent during that same timeframe. As such, the fact that older people often utilize health care at increased rates compared to younger individuals will also add to the dilemma in the future.

The crisis appears to be greatest in underserved urban and rural areas. In fact, many towns such as Arcata, California have a hard time keeping doctors beyond a residency. For, the area is so rural and limited, that many whom come to study or work in the area often leave after a few years, including those in residency programs.

While this is the case, medical students whom are averse to working in primary care fields only add to the problem. For, internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics are often the most difficult positions to fill around the country. Most often, these individuals avoid working in these areas due to pay being lower than in a number of more specialized areas though training programs are also to blame.

A number of medical schools in America train physicians at local University hospitals focusing on a specific area. As a result, doctors working at these locations are often taught more about specialized practices rather than primary care. In addition, most feel that if primary care physicians are a necessity, there should be a special program focused on that area.

In an effort to assist with the shortage, one of the most renown medical schools in the world, St. George's now supplies a number of primary care physicians to the United States. For, the school believes that by exposing students to more outpatient environments and community health centers, the students and the United States will benefit by overcoming what appears to be one of the biggest shortages of primary care and general practitioners in history.




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