The International Medical Students And Young Physician Program

by - 2:12 PM

By Christine Thomas


While there are currently a number of doctors working in cities, towns and rural towns, there is a huge shortage of general practitioners and specialists in many areas. In fact, the United States will most likely need up 120,000 additional doctors, specialists and primary care physicians by the year 2030. As a result, there is an international medical students and young physician program forming in the country.

It is also hoped that a number of medical school graduates will focus on primary care and general practice. For, most residence programs now focus on specialized areas. As a result, there are a number of primary care and general practitioner vacancies in these areas at clinics and hospitals around the country.

Other reasons for the nationwide shortage is that there are a limited number of positions available at hospitals with residency training programs. In addition, the amount of time it takes to train professionals is often not in line with health care utilization. For, there are currently more people obtaining health insurance than ever before in history, while baby boomers are now becoming enrolled in Medicare.

The senior population is forecast to grow above fifty percent over the next 12 years. Whereas, the under 18 population is only forecast to grow by 3 percent during that same timeframe. As such, the fact that older people often utilize health care at increased rates compared to younger individuals will also add to the dilemma in the future.

The crisis appears to be greatest in underserved urban and rural areas. In fact, many towns such as Arcata, California have a hard time keeping doctors beyond a residency. For, the area is so rural and limited, that many whom come to study or work in the area often leave after a few years, including those in residency programs.

While this is the case, medical students whom are averse to working in primary care fields only add to the problem. For, internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics are often the most difficult positions to fill around the country. Most often, these individuals avoid working in these areas due to pay being lower than in a number of more specialized areas though training programs are also to blame.

A number of medical schools in America train physicians at local University hospitals focusing on a specific area. As a result, doctors working at these locations are often taught more about specialized practices rather than primary care. In addition, most feel that if primary care physicians are a necessity, there should be a special program focused on that area.

In an effort to assist with the shortage, one of the most renown medical schools in the world, St. George's now supplies a number of primary care physicians to the United States. For, the school believes that by exposing students to more outpatient environments and community health centers, the students and the United States will benefit by overcoming what appears to be one of the biggest shortages of primary care and general practitioners in history.




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