Friday, August 9, 2019

The International Medical Students And Young Physician Program

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.

With a forecast suggesting that the 65 and over population will increase by 50% over the next twelve years, the shortage is a long way from over. Considering the fact that older individuals often seek out medical attention more often than young people, and the onset of baby boomers obtaining Medicare, this demand will most likely only increase in the future.

The health crisis is one that appears to be most prevalent in rural areas. In fact, many areas such as Eureka, California have a hard time keeping physicians beyond an Emergency Room Residency program. For, these areas are so limited and rural that many whom enroll in such programs leave upon completion of the required hours.

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.

Most medical schools in the United States train physicians at huge university hospitals. As a result, those in training are often discouraged from working in the primary care field by the upon graduation. One reason this is the case, is because these individuals are often taught that if clinics and hospitals want primary care physicians, then there needs to be a program for training in this area.

Once having arrived in the United States from participating schools of medicine, these young residents will work in rural areas as primary care physicians. For, another contributing factor to the shortage is the distribution of physicians to these areas. After which, it is hoped that the shortage will begin to shrink and more students will become interested in these areas in the future.




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