Policy Briefs

Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine: The Need for a Diverse Physician Workforce
Significant disparities exist in access to health care for racial and ethnic minorities and also in their representation in the U.S. physician workforce. African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans comprise more than 25% of the U.S. population, yet they account for less than 10% of the physician workforce. Read More...

Medical Education Expansion and the Future of Primary Care
Evidence shows primary care is associated with improved quality, decreased costs, and better outcomes in health systems. However, recent trends in residency selection show young physicians are moving away from primary care. Family medicine programs are filling 15% fewer first year residency positions than 10 years ago with less than 50% of these positions filled by U.S. medical school graduates. Read More...

Physician Supply Follows Federal Policy: A Lesson From History
"Predictions of physician supply have swung from surplus to shortage and back again over the past century. While the answer to the question, "What is the right number of physicians?" is debatable, there is no question that physician supply is sensitive to legislative and policy changes." Read More...

Medical Education Futures Study

George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services

Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation

Policy Briefs