Washington, D.C., February 22, 2005 - Concerned that America may experience a physician shortage in the next few decades, the AAMC today recommended that enrollment in U.S. medical schools be increased 15 percent by 2015. Assuming that schools respond to the AAMC's recommendation, the result would be an increase of about 2,500 M.D. graduates per year.

"The AAMC's new position responds to mounting evidence that the demand for physicians will outstrip the supply in future years," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D. "Given the extended time it takes to educate and train tomorrow's doctors, efforts to increase enrollment must get underway as soon as possible to assure that the health care needs of the nation in 2015 and beyond are met."

In calling for the expansion, the AAMC recommended that the increases be targeted, in part, to areas of the country that have seen a rapid rise in population over the past several decades and are expected to grow in the future. The association also recommended the removal of the current restriction on the number of residency and fellowship positions funded by Medicare in order to ensure that the new U.S. medical school graduates can complete the training necessary to practice.

A survey of medical school expansion plans, conducted by the AAMC's Center for Workforce Studies in late 2004, shows that many of the nation's medical schools have already begun to increase their class sizes. Of the 118 allopathic schools (institutions that grant M.D. degrees) that responded to the survey, 36 (31 percent) indicated that they were "definitely" or "probably" going to boost first-year enrollment over the next several years, which would yield about a four percent increase in M.D.s. Another 23 schools (20 percent) said they would "possibly" increase enrollment over the next six years.

Several factors were considered in making the recommendation for an increase in medical school capacity, including U.S. population growth, a demand for more medical care by aging Baby Boomers, the retirement of practicing physicians, and younger doctors working fewer hours.
However, given the inherent uncertainties in predicting future physician workforce needs, the AAMC's Center for Workforce Studies will continue to analyze and monitor changes over time in the physician supply, as well as identify strategies to retain doctors in the workforce and make more effective use of practicing physicians. To help achieve this goal, the AAMC will sponsor the first annual Physician Workforce Research Conference, May 5-6 in Washington, D.C.

A copy of the AAMC's physician workforce position can be found at: www.aamc.org/workforce

# # #

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

Contact Us    © 1995-2008 AAMC    Terms and Conditions    Privacy Statement