Can global health opportunities lead to an increase in primary care physicians?

• Published in: Journal of global health Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 020387
• Main Authors: Reece, Josephine, Dionne, Christopher, Krupica, Troy, Lerfald, Nathan, Sizemore, Jenna, Sofka, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Edinburgh University Global Health Society 01.12.2020; International Society of Global Health
• Subjects: Academic disciplines; Anesthesiology; COVID-19; Emergency medical care; Global Health; Humans; Internal medicine; Medical schools; Medical students; Medicine; Mortality; Neurosurgery; Ophthalmology; Orthopedics; Otolaryngology; Pandemics; Pediatrics; Physicians, Primary Care - supply & distribution; Plastic surgery; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Questionnaires; Radiation; Radiology; Rural areas; Schools; Viewpoints; West Virginia; United States > US; Virginia
• ISSN: 2047-2978; 2047-2986
• DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020387

According to the annual AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) medical student questionnaire, thirty percent of graduating medical students participated in a global health elective during their training [1]. [...]there remains a growing need for primary care physicians here and abroad. The 12 medical schools were chosen as comparative schools in our geographic region (West Virginia University School of Medicine, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine). Table 2 Comparison of survey answers between those that had/will participate in global health electives and those that had not/will not Yes (n = 51) No (n = 38) P-value What field of medicine do you plan on practicing? NA* Internal Medicine 8 (16%) 10 (26%) Family Medicine 8 (16%) 7 (18%) Ob/Gyn 8 (16%) 2 (5%) Med/Peds 6 (12%) 1 (3%) Pediatrics 2 (4%) 4 (10%) Anesthesiology 2 (4%) 3 (8%) Emergency Medicine 3 (6%) 1 (3%) General Surgery 3 (6%) 1 (3%) Orthopedics 2 (4%) 2 (5%) Psychiatry 2 (4%) 2 (5%) Otolaryngology 0 3 (8%) Neurology 2 (4%) 0 Ophthalmology 2 (4%) 0 Radiology 0 2 (5%) Neurosurgery 1 (2%) 0 Plastic Surgery 0 1 (3%) Radiation Oncology 1 (2%) 0 Unsure 1 (2%) 0 Do you plan on specializing in your field?