Effect of Student-Run Free Clinics on Family Medicine Match Rates: A Multisite, Regression Discontinuity Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care Workforce Development

Background:

• Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) are proposed educational tools to boost medical student interest in primary care.
• Limited research exists on the impact of SRFCs on institutional primary care match rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of establishing SRFCs on institutional match rates into family medicine residency.
• To determine if SRFCs influence the number of medical graduates pursuing primary care careers.

Main Methods:

• Compiled a list of SRFCs from primary care clerkship directors and the Society of Student-Run Free Clinics.
• Analyzed institution-level family medicine match rates from 2000-2018 using regression discontinuity analysis.

Main Results:

• SRFCs did not significantly alter the number or percentage of graduates entering family medicine residency.
• No significant impact was observed across various institutional contexts (public/private, geographic, administrative structure, historical match rates).

Conclusions:

• SRFCs should not be the sole strategy for increasing the primary care physician workforce.
• Multifaceted educational approaches are needed to enhance the supply of early-career primary care physicians.