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Number of primary care physicians on the decline

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, February 20, 2008

The number of American medical students interested in primary care is declining. The current number of American doctors in residency programs was 22,146 in 2006, a decrease from 23,801 in 1995, according to the General Accountability Office.


However, the number of physicians actually specializing in primary care is rising, thanks to an influx of foreign-born doctors who chose to specialize in primary care. The number of international medical graduates training in primary care has grown from 13,025 in 1995 to 15,565 in 2006.


The report shows concern that the existing discrepancy between the number of primary care physicians and the amount needed to provide care for the country will only worsen as more American students turn away from primary care to pursue other specialties.

Source: Yahoo! News

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