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The doctor is in
1Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, D.C. 20037-1126.
Summary
The US faces a shortage of generalist physicians like family doctors. Aiming for 50% of graduates to be generalists is a reasonable, though challenging, goal for medical education reform.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Public Health Policy
- Physician Workforce
Background:
- The United States exhibits an overproduction of medical specialists and an underproduction of generalists.
- This imbalance necessitates a strategic shift in physician training and practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the role of generalists in US healthcare.
- To evaluate the feasibility and rationale for a 50% generalist physician graduate target.
- To identify necessary changes in medical education and practice environments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current generalist production estimates.
- Review of graduate medical education requirements for generalists.
- Examination of medical school curricula and practice environment factors.
- Discussion of policy and implementation strategies.
Main Results:
- The 50% generalist goal is deemed informed and reasonable based on current trends and needs.
- Specific changes are proposed for graduate medical education, undergraduate medical education, and practice settings.
- The role of federal or central authorities in implementation is considered.
Conclusions:
- Achieving a 50% generalist physician target is a worthwhile, albeit challenging, objective.
- Establishing this goal is preferable to having no defined target for physician workforce development.
- Systemic changes across education and practice are crucial for success.