Strategies for increasing the physician workforce: the Oregon model for expansion

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Workforce Development
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Oregon faces a critical physician workforce shortage and inequitable distribution.
• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine needs to increase physician graduates, particularly those serving nonurban areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline OHSU School of Medicine's strategic expansion plan to address physician workforce needs.
• To detail a phased approach for increasing medical student enrollment and establishing regional campuses.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a four-phase expansion plan starting in 2001.
• Development of community partnerships and regional campuses leveraging existing infrastructure.
• Phased enrollment increases and strategic resource management.

Main Results:

• Incremental enrollment increases at the Portland site (Phase 1).
• Establishment of regional sites through partnerships, minimizing capital investment (Phases 2 & 3).
• Planning for a new facility and continued expansion (Phase 4).

Conclusions:

• Regional campus development is a cost-effective strategy for medical school expansion.
• Partnerships are key to economical and expedient growth.
• OHSU's model addresses physician distribution inequities and workforce needs.