Increasing primary care programs
ISSUE SUMMARY
The Kansas Physician Workforce Report released March 12, 2007 included a number of excellent recommendations to address the present and impending physician shortage and maldistribution in Kansas and to date some progress has been made. Additionally, a conference sponsored by the Association of Academic Health Centers in October 2010 re-emphasized the national shortage and recommended a national increase of 3,000 entry level training positions in selected disciplines. AAHC Conference identifies the most urgent need is currently in adult primary care – specifically: Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Psychiatry.
We believe there is a crucial need to develop and implement aggressive initiatives in Kansas medical schools and residency programs to fill the growing need for well trained physicians in the primary care workforce. Inaction on this issue could lead to significant scope of practice issues as patients seek health care from allied professionals due to the lack of primary care physicians.
ADOPTED ACTION OR POLICY
KMS endorses the recommendations of the Kansas Physician Workforce Advisory Board, and encourages the State of Kansas to renew its commitment to the recommendations of the Workforce Advisory Board. KMS also supports increased stipends and incentives for Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Psychiatry.
Adopted by the KMS House of Delegates on April 30, 2011.
