Advancing the Latino Physician Workforce-Population Trends, Persistent Challenges, and New Directions

From 1980 to 2010, the shortage of Latino physicians worsened despite the unique benefits that Latino physicians provide, especially in caring for the rapidly growing Latino patient population. The authors describe the expanding Latino population in the United States, discuss some health care issues specific to the Latino population, and briefly evaluate historical and ongoing issues to increase the Latino physician workforce. Developing the Latino physician workforce will require a multifaceted approach including, but not limited to, building the next generation of Latino medical school applicants and matriculants, cultivating more Latino residents, prioritizing Latino inclusion in the academic medicine workforce, expanding curricula and training on Latino health in both undergraduate and graduate medical education, rebuilding and reframing federally sponsored diversity initiatives, and fostering collaboration between Latino professional organizations and academic health centers.