GAO: 99% of medical residents still flock to urban areas

Roughly 99 percent of medical residents remain concentrated in urban areas, according to a recent study released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

For the report, titled "Physician Workforce: Locations and Types of Graduate Training Were Largely Unchanged, Federal Efforts May Not Be Sufficient to Meet Needs," analysts examined data released by the accrediting bodies overseeing resident training. Researchers noted potential changes in the number of medical residents by location and speciality during the 2005 to 2015 academic years. Analysts also reviewed federal laws, reports and data and conducted interviews with government officials to examine federal efforts to increase the number of primary care residents across the nation.

Here are six findings from the GAO report.

1. Roughly 31 percent of medical residents received training at hospitals and health facilities in the Northeast in 2015, followed by the South (30 percent), the Midwest (24 percent) and the West (15 percent).

2. Despite growth in rural areas, 99 percent of residents remained heavily concentrated in urban areas during the study period.

3. Between 2005 and 2015, more than 80 percent of residents received training in a medical specialty — which is required for initial board certification — with the remaining residents training in a subspecialty.

4. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated more than 44,000 residents rotated through a VA facility as part of their resident training during fiscal year 2015, according to the report.

5. Federal officials projected a deficit of more than 20,000 primary care physicians in the U.S. by 2025.

6. GAO officials noted that while the government has invested a significant effort into the retention of primary care physicians, healthcare workforce programs should incorporate HHS' recommendations to increase the number of primary care residents.

 

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