The wisdom of depending on International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) to fill
ID: 122381 • Letter: T
Question
The wisdom of depending on International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) to fill gaps in physician supply, while US medical schools hold class size constant, is questionable. In addition, the aging of the physician workforce, the decreasing hours worked by both physicians in practice and physicians in residency, and a 20 percent reduction in the effort of the increasing proportion of female physicians, will result in a significant decrease in the “effective” supply of physicians. Should the gap be filled by a major substitution of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and others, or are there alternatives?
Explanation / Answer
The gap should not be filled by a major substitution of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, chiropractors, acupuncturists as the quality of healthcare will decline. The class size should be increased a bit and to help the old physicians virtual online arrangements should be made so that they can view their patients even while away. Moreover, since healthcare industry is a very responsible industry the number of students graduating from Medical Schools should be increased so that we get a team of young doctors who can be trained by the senior physicians.
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