Primary Care Selection and the Financial Burdens of Medical Education

Abstract

Preventative medicine and primary care services are the foundations to building healthier communities. Unfortunately, the resources are often limited, and it is estimated that by 2032, the United States could face a shortage of up to 21,000 to 55,200 primary care physicians. This deficit of physicians is even more pronounced in rural areas where residents are almost five times as likely to live in a county with a physician shortage. There are a multitude of factors that contribute to this decline in workforce, but one pressing issue is the impact of medical student specialty selection. In this commentary, we discuss the Geisinger Abigail Scholars Program which is a program offering free medical education and a living stipend in exchange for a commitment to Geisinger employment in primary care fields upon residency completion.