The medical education commission report 2007: GME is recovering from Katrina

Before Hurricane Katrina, graduate medical education (GME) in Louisiana was growing slowly but steadily, similarly to the United States (US) average. Katrina's destructive force disrupted practically every aspect of GME, resulting in early quantitative rearrangement by geographic location and the heroic efforts to rescue programs across the state. This report provides evidence that the numbers have stabilized and are getting back on track. This year's successful match leads the way, with numbers of entering residents nearing pre-Katrina levels. Total GME gained some ground. National trends are noted, as primary care specialties are less in the national match, even as a national effort to increase the supply of physicians is underway. Institutional and state efforts to restore and increase GME are key to the long-term solution for physician recruitment in Louisiana, especially when a growing physician shortage is on the horizon.