Keith Hooker’s Post

The U.S. physician workforce is continuing on its long journey to more accurately reflect the population that it serves, though there are some caveats. That's because according to new data released by the Association of American Medical Colleges, medical schools enrolled a more diverse incoming class this year than in previous years. The increase was driven by significant jumps among two groups historically underrepresented in medicine, according to AAMC data: Hispanic and Native American students, whose populations rose by 4.5 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively, from 2022–23 to 2023–24. The number of Black matriculants decreased slightly, by 0.1 percent, and first-time Pacific Islander enrollment fell by 6.9 percent. Also: First-generation matriculants at medical colleges rose by 2.5 percent. Both total enrollment and first-year enrollment at medical colleges increased, by 1.2 percent and 1.6 percent respectively, though the number of applications declined by 4.7 percent. “While we do not know the exact explanation for the decline in the number of applicants to medical school, it will not deter our continuing efforts to increase the number of diverse applicants and matriculants who will make up the future physician workforce,” said David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO.

The U.S. physician workforce is continuing on its long journey to more accurately reflect the population that it serves, though there are some caveats. That's because according to new data released by the Association of American Medical Colleges, medical schools enrolled a more diverse incoming class this year than in previous years. The increase was driven by significant jumps among two groups historically underrepresented in medicine, according to AAMC data: Hispanic and Native American students, whose populations rose by 4.5 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively, from 2022–23 to 2023–24. The number of Black matriculants decreased slightly, by 0.1 percent, and first-time Pacific Islander enrollment fell by 6.9 percent. Also: First-generation matriculants at medical colleges rose by 2.5 percent. Both total enrollment and first-year enrollment at medical colleges increased, by 1.2 percent and 1.6 percent respectively, though the number of applications declined by 4.7 percent. “While we do not know the exact explanation for the decline in the number of applicants to medical school, it will not deter our continuing efforts to increase the number of diverse applicants and matriculants who will make up the future physician workforce,” said David J. Skorton, MD, AAMC president and CEO.

I frequently write about the critical need for increased investment in primary care, which will help us build our primary care workforce and recruit the best and brightest in medicine to choose primary care specialties. Building a robust primary care workforce requires us to think comprehensively about the issues that have led us to where we are today - loss of autonomy, insufficient investment/payment, administrative burden, and a lack of focus on the value of comprehensive primary care. Another issues that needs greater attention is the role of medical schools in creating a pro primary care culture. This morning, I came across an op-ed written by a fourth-year family medicine student that reminded me of just how bright the future of family medicine is. Medical student Danielle Gabuzda wrote eloquently about the need to address medical school cultures, to bolster primary care experience in medical schools, and to invest in primary care. These are big challenges. Thankfully, there are people like the future Dr. Gabuzda entering primary care who are committed to identifying and addressing shortcomings so that we can make primary care for all a reality.

A Message From Your Future Physicians: DEI MATTERS! With mounting apprehension over the erosion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in medical education, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) has conducted the largest-ever national survey to date shedding light on critical challenges facing underrepresented medical students across the United States. Efforts to remove DEI initiatives within academic centers, including the proposed Embracing Anti- Discrimination, Unbiased, Curriculum, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act introduced by Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (RNC), threaten to exacerbate existing disparities in healthcare by prohibiting medical schools from federal funding if they adopt policies and/or requirements concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Without the efforts of DEI and, similarly, Affirmative Action, the U.S. physician workforce will not reflect the growing needs of a diverse patient population. This undermines progress toward equitable healthcare and jeopardizes the health and well-being of these patients, particularly those who are marginalized and disenfranchised, across the nation. This threatens to undermine the fabric of medical education and exacerbate the physician shortage and ultimately health inequities. “As an organization committed to supporting underrepresented minority medical students and addressing the needs of underserved communities, the SNMA reaffirms its dedication to advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion in medical education. The SNMA urges policymakers to consider the detrimental impact of dismantling DEI initiatives and emphasizes the imperative of preserving affirmative action policies in healthcare professions. Failure to do so not only undermines progress toward equitable healthcare but also jeopardizes the health and well-being of diverse patient populations across the nation.” - Ja'Nia McPhatter the National President of SNMA and current medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine To Learn More Visit https://tr.ee/SNMA4DEI Video Provided by: Kiatana Miché #SNMA4DEI #DEICrisis #DEISafetyNet #StandWithDEI #DiversifyMedicine #ProtectDEI2024 #SNMAStandsWithDEI #DEIMatters #URiM #MedicalStudents #PreMeds #MinoritiesInMedicine #MinorityDoctors #MedicalSchool

📢 Supporting DEI in Medicine: A Call to Action! 📢 The National Medical Association stands in the crucial fight to preserve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education. 🔍 A Critical Survey: The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) has conducted the largest-ever national survey highlighting the pressing challenges faced by underrepresented medical students in the U.S. These insights come at a critical time as legislative efforts, such as the proposed EDUCATE Act, threaten to dismantle DEI initiatives in academic centers, risking the advancement of equitable healthcare. 🚫 Why This Matters: Removing DEI and affirmative action initiatives threatens not only the diversity of our future physician workforce but also the health and well-being of our diverse patient population. We cannot allow the erosion of policies that aim to reflect the needs of our increasingly diverse communities. 🔗 Learn More and Support DEI in Medicine: https://bityl.co/Prqe Together, let's ensure that our future healthcare leaders are as diverse as the communities they serve. Join us in advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion. #DiversityInMedicine #SNMA #NMA #DEIMatters

The Quillen College of Medicine ranked inside the top five of this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas, and continues to move up among the nation’s top medical schools for primary care and research. The College of Medicine ranked fifth in “Medical Schools with the Most Graduates Practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas” and top 50 in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care. #BucsGoBeyond #BestMedicalSchools

🎓 Embarking on the challenging journey to medical school? As you set out on this path toward becoming a physician, it's crucial to ensure that every step aligns seamlessly with your residency goals.  The choices you make now can significantly impact your future in the medical field.  Delve into these eight invaluable tips that will serve as a compass in navigating the intricate decision-making process of selecting the right medical school. Check out the article for more insights! https://lnkd.in/gsZAST8c #MedSmarter #MedSchoolTips #ResidencyPreparation #MedicalEducation

Twenty-five percent of U.S. medical students are thinking about quitting their studies. We already have a huge shortage of physicians, particularly primary care, so what will this mean for healthcare in America - especially with an aging population? #healthcare #medicalstudents #primarycare #physicians #doctors #conciergemedicine #caurahealth https://lnkd.in/en3Wktfs

Twenty-five percent of U.S. medical students are thinking about quitting their studies. We already have a huge shortage of physicians, particularly primary care, so what will this mean for healthcare in America - especially with an aging population? #healthcare #medicalstudents #primarycare #physicians #doctors #conciergemedicine #caurahealth https://lnkd.in/e5bhuCNG

[Medical standoff deepens as doctors reject new med school plan, talks] South Korea entered another round of medical standoff as doctors refused to accept a government proposal to allow medical schools to reduce their enrollment quotas for next year, or join a presidential committee on medical reform. In response, the Health Ministry has stated that its stance remains unchanged regarding the scrapping of the plan to expand the annual medical student admissions quota by 2,000. The government made a bold step last week with a new proposal that gives temporary flexibility to medical schools, the health minister said, urging the medical community to engage in the dialogue. The government proposed to allow medical schools to slow their expansion by cutting the number of new places by up to 50 percent for the first year of enrollment. The process of adjusting the number is up to each university, as long as they do not reduce the number by more than 50 percent, according to the government, “Instead of arguing to bring medical reform discussions back to square one or pushing back the plan for a year, please come up with a single, unified proposal based on scientific and rational grounds,” Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong was quoted as saying during Monday’s government response meeting. Tap below to read full story. #government #meeting #health #Ministry #doctor #walkout #strike #discussion #medical #school #quota https://lnkd.in/gZXnKUSy