Graduate Medical Education, 1998-1999: A Closer Look
1999
Despite the ever-present risk of a critical imbalance in the physician
workforce total numbers and specialty distribution, no systematic planning
mechanism is in place. Furthermore, the length of training for graduate medical
education (GME) precludes timely rectification of imbalances. We report GME
activities collected in the American Medical Association Annual Survey of
Graduate Medical Education Programs for 1998-1999, along with trends during
the last 3 to 6 years. These data initially suggest that little has changed
during the past several years; however, on closer examination, small but significant
changes during the past 2 years may have serious consequences if continued.
The total number of resident physicians, which has been constant during the
last several years, decreased in 1998 by 760 from the previous year, while
the number of programs continues to increase (6.1% since 1993). The number
of US medical graduates entering GME programs remained stable during the last
6 years, the number of osteopathic graduates entering GME increased by 55.7%,
and the number of international medical graduates (IMGs) entering GME continued
to drop (down 13.2% since 1993). More IMGs tend to pursue additional training
than do US graduates (in 1997, 32.9% vs 23.6%). Because IMGs are remaining
in GME programs for longer periods, the total number of IMGs has not yet reflected
significant change. About 62% of IMGs now entering GME training are either
US citizens or permanent residents; ethnic minority residents are not decreasing
in numbers as some predicted; and for the first time in the past 5 years,
the primary care specialties have ceased their persistent growth. Toward the
end of GME, the number of residents leaving programs before completion increased
by 5.7% during the last 3 years. While some of these changes may be ascribed
to reduced GME funding through the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, other factors
clearly are at play. To anticipate future changes in the physician workforce,
these factors should be identified to permit them to be monitored and modified
as needed.
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