Document Detail


International medical graduates in general surgery: increasing needs, decreasing numbers.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20510809     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The current residency training system in the United States (US) has inherent dependence on the international medical graduate (IMG). This article discusses the physician workforce shortage, especially related to general surgery, and examines the distribution of IMGs in general surgery ranks. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study using the American Medical Association Masterfile database of physicians licensed to practice in at least 1 state and determined the number and location of general surgeons in practice. We then stratified the distribution of these practicing surgeons, both IMGs and non-IMGs, according to rural urban commuting areas into small rural, large rural, or urban areas. RESULTS: There were 17,727 general surgeons. IMGs were older (52 +/- 8 years versus 47 +/- 8 years; p < 0.001), more likely to be male (93% versus 82%; p < 0.001), and more likely to be further out of training (46% versus 28% > or =20 years out of training; p < 0.001). There were 2,216 IMGs in urban cores, constituting 15% of general surgeons in these areas. Large rural areas contained 223 IMGs (12% of general surgeons in these cores) and small rural areas contained 163 IMG general surgeons (16% of total general surgeons in these cores). CONCLUSIONS: General surgeons are in high demand, and until now have remained inherently dependent on IMGs to reinforce their ranks. Current numbers of IMGs in practice are declining. This decline, coupled with inadequate numbers of trainees in domestic general surgery programs, creates a crisis of urgency.
Authors:
Kyla P Terhune; Victor Zaydfudim; Naji N Abumrad
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Surgeons     Volume:  210     ISSN:  1879-1190     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Am. Coll. Surg.     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-31     Completed Date:  2010-07-15     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9431305     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Surg     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  990-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D-4313 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. kyla.terhune@vanderbilt.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demography
Female
Foreign Medical Graduates / supply & distribution*
General Surgery / education,  manpower*
Humans
Internship and Residency / statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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