A Holistic Ecosystem Model to Diversify the Physician Workforce and Enhance Health

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Disparities
• Physician Workforce Development

Background:

• The U.S. medical education system produces an innovative physician workforce but contributes to educational, workforce, and health disparities.
• These challenges reflect broader U.S. economic, health, and educational patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an ecological model to enhance diversity in the physician workforce.
• To support students from underrepresented communities in medicine.
• To address and eliminate health, economic, and educational disparities.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing an ecological model framework.
• Uniting partners across four developmental stages.
• Focusing on comprehensive and ecologically attuned pathways.

Main Results:

• The ecological model can foster greater diversity among future physicians.
• It supports underrepresented students in entering and thriving in medical careers.
• It facilitates necessary changes to reduce disparities.

Conclusions:

• Ecologically attuned pathways are crucial for addressing physician shortages and disparities.
• The ecosystem model transforms thinking about physician workforce development.
• This approach particularly benefits underrepresented students facing systemic challenges.