| Family medicine has provided thousands of physicians to underserved rural communities over the years. In recent years the numbers choosing rural practice have remained at about 600 per year, despite increases in residencies and resident positions. Family practice is now in danger of becoming much like the other medical specialties: as the supply increases, there is increasing maldistribution of the specialty. The only exception to this rule is urban poverty practice where family practice graduates have posted major increases. If family medicine fails to address this location issue, it will soon face more than threats to Title VII funding. Without special efforts to increase the numbers of family medicine residents choosing rural locations, much of the political power of the specialty will be lost. This could have impacts on graduate medical education funds at the federal and state levels. |
Last modified: May 10, 2002