Do International Medical Graduates (IMGs) “Fill the Gap” in Rural Primary Care in the United States? A National Study

Abstract

IMGs fill gaps in the primary care workforce in many rural areas, but this varies widely between states. Policies aimed to redress the rural-urban physician maldistribution in the United States should take into account the vital role of IMGs.

US Federal Policies Should Better Support the Primary Care Physician Workforce

“…Furthermore, although many believe IMGs are more likely to practice in underserved settings, evidence does not clearly support this. 17,21,23,25,26 Finally, in recent years, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program has become an important part of the workforce landscape. PSLF allows graduates who work for nonprofit organizations and make regular student loan payments for 10 years to have their remaining federal student debt forgiven.…”

Medical Education in the Caribbean

“…1 IMGs have historically contributed to the U.S. primary care workforce, 11,12 and, given the steady numbers of applicants for ECFMG certification over the past several years, 14 they are likely to continue to do so. Research into IMGs' demographics and practice characteristics-particularly the roles that different IMG groups play in primary care-could help inform U.S. physician workforce policies.…”

“…10 Studies have shown IMGs to be more likely than USMGs to specialize in primary care disciplines 11 and to practice in rural areas. 12 In 2005-2006, 24.6% of all visits to office-based physicians were to IMGs. 11 The source countries of IMGs have been changing over time.…”

A Model for a Novel Communication Training Program Focused on Accent Modification for International Medical Professionals

“…Dill & Poll-Hunter, 2010;Shah et al, 2010). They are indispensable in providing primary healthcare in underserved areas (Kostis & Ahmad, 2004) and in regions where U.S. medical graduate (USMG) shortages are profound (Hagopian, Thompson, & Hart, 2004;Thompson, Hagopian, Fordyce, & Hart, 2009). In the foreseeable future, the U.S. public is likely to see an increasing dependence on IMGs in their medical care (Brotherton, Rockey, & Etzel, 2005;McMahon, 2004).…”