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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.

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.

We need to rethink our approach to philanthropy in the medical field. Offering free medical school education should come with a commitment to internal medicine and family medicine residency programs. The AAMC's latest projections reveal a potential shortage of up to 86,000 physicians in the US by 2036. Without a focus on primary care and family medicine, we are at risk of a more severe shortage by 2030. #MedicalEducation #PhysicianShortage #PrimaryCare #FamilyMedicine #HealthcareFuture https://lnkd.in/gMpdCbDT

Medical school curriculum is based on evidence, and those developing it use research to help ensure that future doctors learn the skills that will prepare them to treat all patients effectively. ➡ Evidence shows that patients do better with a health care team who listens, understands them, and takes their unique experiences into account. ➡ Evidence also shows that a person’s varied life experiences and attributes—age, gender, where they were raised, religion, race, disability status, and many others—impact how they prefer to engage with their health care team. In support of our member medical schools and teaching health systems and hospitals, the AAMC firmly reiterates our commitment to addressing and mitigating the factors that impair effective physician-patient relationships when preparing the future physician workforce. The presence of diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical school curricula is intended to train the next generation of physicians to respond most appropriately to the rapidly diversifying populations that they will serve. Doing so increases the likelihood for better health care and healthy lives for all patients, including individuals who have been historically marginalized by the health care system. https://ow.ly/pIKq50QYZka

The health of our communities depends on so much more than educating future physicians and other medical providers in the proper skills and knowledge they need to practice medicine competently. It is also dependent on educating them on the particular needs and perspectives of patients who come from different cultures and experiences. It depends on our future healthcare workforce being made aware of how implicit bias in healthcare providers can adversely affect patient outcomes. Future medical providers must have an understanding of how social and political structures can perpetuate health disparies in people who are already at a disadvantage. Finally, the health of our communities depends on recruitment and retention of a medical workforce that reflects the diversity of the community they serve, which leads to increased patient engagement in their care. As a medical educator, I am deeply concerned about legislation in certain States that bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs at State institutions of higher education. This undoubtedly will affect State medical schools where DEI programs have been stopped. The ramifications to the health of our patients is significant as physicians from these institutions will not have an opportunity to gain the knowledge needed to understand how to competently care of patients from different backgrounds, how to address health care inequities, and how to interact witha spirit of curiosity and respect with a patient who has a different set of beliefs and experiences. The AAMC has recognized the importance of DEI in the medical school curriculum. In fact, two of the AAMC’s core competencies for entering edical school and succeeding in medical school are cultural awareness and cultural humility (https://lnkd.in/e27Y58P3). States who ban DEI initiatives in their institutions of higher learning will make it difficult for medical students to to adequately achieve these competencies, as curricula in DEI depends on reseouces from an instituon’s DEI office. Also, undergraduate students at State schools where DEI efforts are discontinued may be at a disadvantage when applying to medical school when compared to students from undergraduate schools with robust DEI initiatives and student involvement in these initiatives. The concept of non-malficence—to first do no harm— is ingrained into our training as physicians. We must not take any action or inaction that would cause harm to our patients. Eliminating DEI training and initiatives in medical schools ultimately places our patients in potential harm. Medical educators must speak out in support of DEI in the medical school curriculum. By doing so, we will uphold our duty to advocate for all of our patients, especially those who are the most vulnerable.

The Annual Medical School Graduate Survey is underway! A big shoutout to Emory University School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Mercer University School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, and PCOM Georgia for their support in administering the Medical School Graduate (MSG) Survey! Annually, the GBHCW diligently collects and analyzes responses provided by medical schools to publish a report delving into insights into medical education in Georgia. The MSG Survey is read by policymakers, medical school administrators, graduate medical education administrators, and various government and non-government agencies interested in Georgia’s medical school pipeline. Once the survey concludes on May 31st, we'll analyze the responses to provide a comprehensive overview of medical education in Georgia. The results will then be announced and posted on our website later in the year, so stay tuned for updates! Check out our survey results from previous years here: https://lnkd.in/evg3GEv3 #Georgia #Medical #MedicalSchool #Healthcare #Data #MedicalEducation #Physicians

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there are projections of a physician shortage of 86,000 by 2036 (https://lnkd.in/edb6K-sR) (!). If you yourself or know a friend, a family member, a student, a church-goer, a career-changer, an individual who aspires to become a future physician, have them apply to American University of the Caribbean. Applications for Sept. 2024, Jan. 2025 and May 2025 are live on https://www.aucmed.edu/. The path to serve patients and practice medicine can be a long and arduous one, therefore don't wait and apply today to a premier, world-renowned medical school in the Caribbean. An institution that was founded in 1978 and four more years until the 50th anniversary - it has outstanding faculty, a strong alumni network of 7,500+, and a staggering 98% first-time residency attainment rate for 2023-2024 graduates. The 20 months of medical sciences courses are held in Sint Maarten (for US citizens and permanent residents) as well as a UK Track in Preston, England (for international students). Years three and four are core clerkships and elective rotations, respectively. Let's make an impact to combat the physician shortage — otherwise ourselves, our families, our loved ones — may feel the ramifications of healthcare later on. Let's continue to strive to see another day.