Study: Spread of Model Programs Could Double Rural Physicians

Six medical school programs that address the shortage of rural physicians could be replicated nationally to double the number of rural physicians over the next decade, concludes a study in the March issue of Academic Medicine.

The six programs increased graduates practicing in rural areas by an average 53%. “If 125 medical schools developed similar programs for 10 students per class, this would result in approximately 11,390 rural physicians during the next decade, more than double the current estimation of rural doctors produced during that time frame,” the authors said.

Source: AHA News