Dr. Peter Bell, Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine dean and vice provost, served on a panel for Johns Hopkins University’s Conversations on the Business of Health Webinar Series.
The panel — titled “Scaling Medical Education: Can New Schools Solve America’s Doctor Shortage?” — explored the extent to which new medical schools may be effective at resolving physician shortages in primary care and underserved areas.
“To help resolve the physician shortage, we must continue to expand the number of medical schools in the United States or expand the number of seats at each school,” Bell said.
Bell noted that more than 20% of Americans live in rural areas, while only 10% of doctors practice in rural communities. More primary care physicians are needed to serve in rural areas.
“More than 50% of graduates with Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees have historically matched into primary care residencies. Schools, such as Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, will help support communities in need of primary care physicians,” Bell said.
Click here to watch the video of the webinar and learn more about the other panelists.
