A close look at family practice in Louisiana: manpower '97. Louisiana family practice residency program needs

There is a shortage of family physicians in Louisiana. This manuscript reports on the current status of primary care in Louisiana. It compares these data with national averages and assesses current needs. Finally, it proposes necessary steps by which this shortage can be decreased. Medical schools, residency programs, and practicing physicians will need to be involved in the solution to this problem. Louisiana can have a bright future in family medicine if the recommendations in this paper are thoroughly addressed. With ever increasing costs of quality medical care, well-placed funding and emphasis on family practice appear to be the right direction.