Attracting qualified physicians to underserved areas. Part 1: Why has the U.S. experienced such difficulty?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Physician Workforce Studies
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Growing enrollment in Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) necessitates strategies for physician recruitment in underserved inner-city and rural areas.
• Health networks seek market share, intensifying the need for qualified physicians in less desirable practice locations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional strategies for attracting physicians to underserved areas.
• To explore alternative, pragmatic approaches to address physician shortages in economically disadvantaged regions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current strategies for physician distribution.
• Analysis of the efficacy of increasing physician supply and modifying residency programs.
• Introduction of improved working conditions and increased compensation as a potential solution.

Main Results:

• Traditional methods like increasing physician supply and altering international medical graduate (IMG) intake have limitations.
• The article's first part reviews these conventional approaches.
• The second part will delve into practical improvements in work environment and financial incentives.

Conclusions:

• Conventional strategies for physician distribution may not be sufficient to meet the needs of underserved areas.
• Enhancing physician working conditions and offering substantial financial incentives present a viable alternative for recruitment and retention.