AMA calls on payers to fund physician residency training
At its annual meeting this week in Chicago, the American Medical Association called for funding from all payers – both public and private – for residency training positions for physicians.
AMA board member Joseph P. Annis, MD, said the United States faces a shortage of between 124,000 and 159,000 physicians by 2025. He noted that at least 22 states and 15 medical specialties have reported physician workforce shortages, including in medically underserved regions and front-line specialties such as primary care and general surgery.
"The number of U.S. medical school applications continues to outnumber the amount of available positions for medical students," Annis said. "Increasing the number of positions for medical students will not lead to more physicians entering practice unless the number of residency positions increases. To ensure an adequate physician workforce, our nation needs an additional 15,000 residency positions in primary care, general surgery and other undersupplied specialties."
The AMA contends that medical school admissions policies directed at attracting students and residents from underserved areas can result in physicians more likely to provide care to underserved patients.
AMA delegates voted to encourage medical schools and residency programs to develop admissions policies and educational efforts aimed at attracting students likely to practice in underserved areas.
"Educational opportunities, such as classes and clerkships for medical students and resident physicians in underserved areas, has been shown to influence a medical student's decision to practice in an area of need," said Annis. "Physician shortage is a serious issue for the entire nation, but it is an even bigger challenge in regions with medically underserved patients."
