AAMC Reporter: March 2005

AAMC Calls for Medical Schools to Increase Enrollment

Concerned that a shortage of physicians is likely to occur in the future, the AAMC Executive Council recommended that U.S. medical schools increase enrollment by 15 percent by 2015 as part of its approval of a new physician workforce statement at its February meeting.

Increased enrollment could add 2,500 medical school graduates annually.

The AAMC's recommendation is based upon several factors, including national population growth, the demand for more medical care from aging baby boomers, physician retirement rates and younger doctors working fewer hours.

"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 healthcare needs of the nation in 2015 and beyond are met."

The association's position recommends that expansion be focused in areas of the country that have experienced rapid population growth over the past few decades and are expected to experience continued growth. To accommodate the educational needs of a growing student population, the AAMC also recommended lifting the current restriction on the number of residency and fellowship positions funded by Medicare.

According to a recent survey about medical school expansion plans conducted by the AAMC's Center for Workforce Studies, many institutions already are working to increase their class sizes. Out of the 125 allopathic schools, 118 responded and 31 percent (36 schools) said they were "definitely" or "probably" going to bolster first-year enrollment over the next several years, yielding a 4 percent increase in medical graduates. An additional 20 percent (23 schools) said an increase was "possible."

According to the survey, the overwhelming majority of increased enrollment, accounting for 83 percent, is expected to occur in the South and West. Approximately 59 percent of the overall growth will come from southern schools, and 24 percent will come from western institutions.

Survey results also revealed that public medical schools are more likely to increase their enrollment figures.

The results showed that 81 percent of the likely increase would be at public allopathic medical schools and 19 percent at private schools.

In addition to the AAMC's call for medical school expansion, the Council of Deans discussed several issues of interest that could affect medical students in the future. In a unanimous vote, the council recommended a set of best practices for handling students' health insurance, including offering a 12-month plan that students can waive if they have proof of another active insurance plan, and giving students the option to purchase additional coverage for a spouse, domestic partner or dependent.

The council also discussed whether the AAMC should continue to investigate the possibility of medical schools conducting criminal background checks on incoming students. Members agreed the association should study the issue in greater depth before issuing recommendations.

—Whitney L.J. Howell, whowell@aamc.org

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