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Abstract
Background: Global shortages of healthcare workers in both developed and developing countries are of great concern. Research on physician migration typically focuses on medical school graduates, most often those seeking postgraduate training opportunities elsewhere.
Description: An overview of medical school migration patterns is presented in this paper. To put this phenomenon into the broader context of global physician migration, data is also presented on the distribution of medical schools, physician density, the flow of international medical graduates to the US, and the present composition of the US physician workforce.
Results: Results of the study indicate that many individuals leave their home country for undergraduate medical education.
Conclusions: Given the movement of students and physicians, both for medical school and for advanced training opportunities, it is evident that some medical schools in the world are training doctors for their home country as well as for the international labor market. Overall, given the internationalization of medical education, collaborative efforts will be needed to develop an adequate, balanced, and well-trained global physician workforce.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
James A. Hallock
JAMES A HALLOCK MD is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER®). He has served as a delegate to the International Medical Workforce Collaborative. To contribute to the discussion on the shortage of healthcare workers globally, he collaborates with FAIMER® staff to conduct research relevant to physician migration.
Danette W. Mckinley
DANETTE MCKINLEY is Research Scientist for FAIMER® and is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely completion of research activities as well as the design, implementation, analysis, and publication of ongoing research studies. She also supports research activities related to the certification of graduates of international medical programs.
John R. Boulet
JOHN R. BOULET PhD is Director of Research and Data Resources for the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER®). Dr Boulet implements the Foundation's research agenda and guides its efforts to develop meaningful resources on medical education worldwide.