I am a current medical student and the class size has increased this year at my medical school. There was plenty of resources for the expanded class but I don't think the infrastructure can put up with addtional students (as is planned in future years). That will be particularly true in Anatomy and in small group sessions.
I also don't see an increase in students wanted to work in underserved areas even with the addtional number of students in my class. I am committed to working in an underserved area and it is one of the reasons I decided to go to medical school. I am not sure of how to increase the interest levels with other students in my school or other schools.
Any ideas how to translate increased number of medical students into increased physicians in underserved areas?
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Re:Are physicians a vanishing breed - the looming physician shortage
Date: 2007/03/29 21:32
By: utcom
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I am applying for a Federal health professional scholarship that will pay off my student loans if I work in an underserved area. I think that is one way to increase active participation of physicians in underserved areas.
Other options available to increase involvment, all which involve paying off student debt: a Federal loan repayment program, making arrangements with certain smaller communities to work in their community and, certain State programs.
Considering that one of the reasons students hesitate to work in underserved areas is because of their concern of how they will be able to pay off debt, I think the above programs will significantly improve numbers of providers in communities that have the greatest need.
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Re:Are physicians a vanishing breed - the looming physician shortage
Date: 2007/04/04 14:42
By: jbohm1
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My concern for the future is that the quality of applicants will decrease. Some years are more competitive than others due to the number of applicants and it has been shown that when applicant numbers are down, than the matriculant quality is also decreased. So if more seats become available, will all the students be able to handle the rigor of a medical school education?
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Re:Are physicians a vanishing breed - the looming physician shortage
Date: 2007/04/08 00:20
By: wlw
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The best way to increase the number of physicians working in underserved arreas is to increase the number of opportunities to wrk in underserved areas during medical school and residency.
The more exposure to inequalities, the more likey interest will evolve.
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Re:Are physicians a vanishing breed - the looming physician shortage
Date: 2007/04/08 20:59
By: toledo
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What about the increasing number of DO schools opening, doesn't that address the physician shortage?
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Re:Are physicians a vanishing breed - the looming physician shortage
Date: 2007/04/08 21:02
By: ohiomd
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DO's have traditionally had trouble getting residencies in certain specialities, they are most competitive in obtaining primary care residencies. So even with an increased number of DO's, we still have a need for a broad range of specialists.
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