Health Affairs, 2010/05, 29(5):1015-1022. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0168, type of study: ,art,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0168)

Keywords:

career choice [56]
internship and residency [150]
primary health care [58]
United States [28]
workforce [41]
medical education [684]
article [2635]

Abstract:

Numerous reports predict U.S. primary care physician shortages, with deficits of 20,000-46,000 doctors projected by 2020-25. Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) could help fill some of the gap alongside their medical doctor (MD) colleagues. Many osteopathic schools have undertaken initiatives to reinvigorate primary care career choices among students. This paper describes these developments, and it highlights as examples early-stage innovations at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. It will be several years before the changes can be assessed. The final outcome awaits coordinated national design changes in primary care support and training and in health care coverage.