Are Enough Physicians of the Right Types Trained in the United States?
Abstract
There appears to be some agreement within the medical profession regarding the need to train more primary care physicians in the United States. This view is not based upon any particular study but rather on observations by people in the health care field. Opinions differ as to what constitutes a sufficient supply of specialists end whether too many of certain specialists are being trained. While total number of practicing physicians has increased dramatically during the past decade and will continue to do so, questions still remain as to whether there are enough or too many. The Secretary of HEW should discuss with the Coordinating Council on Medical Education the possibility of engaging in national studies of physician supply and requirements, including physician extenders, under some mutually agreeable contractual arrangement. HEW's Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee should (1) play an active role in determining the scope of these studies 2nd in monitoring their progress and (2) review in depth the Coordinating Council's completed studies and provide the Secretary with its detailed comments and recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 1978
- Accession Number
- AD1119002
Entities
People
- Elmer B. Staats
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office