Matching community need with physician training: the OSU Urban Family Medicine Program

There continues to be a shortage of primary care physicians practicing within urban, Iower-socioeconomic and minority communities despite the fact that many of the 125 allopathic and 19 osteopathic medical schools are located within the affected urban cities. Recognizing a need to better train and recruit primary care physicians to serve in urban settings and provide care to those underserved. The Ohio State Department of Family Medicine established an Urban Family Medicine Residency Program headquartered in Near East Columbus, OH. Starting in 2003, the Urban Family Medicine Residency Program began training up to two residents each academic year. The mission, vision and (curriculum have attracted residency applicants and faculty who have displayed sincere interest and commitment to practicing in urban lower socioeconomic communities.