Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?

Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
Education
March 8, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

Around 75 percent of U.S. physicians are U.S. MD/DOs who have completed pre-medical training, while the remaining 25 percent are international medical graduates (IMGs) who may not have completed pre-medical training but are still able to take the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) and become licensed to practice medicine in the U.S.

From the patient’s perspective, pre-medical training may not be necessary unless pre-medical training-deficient IMGs are not evenly distributed among active U.S. physicians across the country. There may be a disparity in the recruitment of active U.S. physicians, with health care resources naturally directing pre-medical training-deficient IMGs to serve underserved populations.

Assuming four years of college for pre-medical training, four to five years of medical school in a U.S. MD/DO program, and three to four years of graduate medical education (GME) residency program, a U.S.-educated person can become an independent physician at around 30 years of age. In comparison, a person who completes a six-year medical college program in an international MBBS program followed by three to four years of GME residency training can start practicing medicine independently in the U.S. earlier, unless their preparation for the USMLE delays their entry into GME programs. Nonetheless, U.S. physicians are likely to begin practicing independently around the age of 30, regardless of whether they have completed pre-medical training or not.

Is the four-year pre-medical training preventing U.S. citizens from choosing to attend medical school before the age of 22, and is this inadvertently creating a disparity in the physician workforce? Are international medical graduates prematurely choosing to attend medical school at age 18, and is this impacting the quality of health care both in and outside the U.S.? If not, what is the purpose of the four-year pre-medical training?

Puberty typically occurs around the age of 11-12, and adolescents have the opportunity to mature under supervision before being emancipated at age 18. However, if maturity to become a U.S. physician is not achieved until age 22, how can individuals enlist in the U.S. military at age 17, despite needing to complete a four-year college program before becoming an officer?

In modern times, is the period of neoteny (extended adolescence) being prolonged compared to ancient times when our adolescent ancestors were exposed to more opportunities and experiences earlier? Why are there different age requirements for adulthood, emancipation, driving, drinking, and voting? Is there no single age that works for everyone, as individuals genetically and environmentally mature at different rates, and there is no clear diagnostic method to assess maturity levels in terms of effectively managing one’s emotions?

If neither chronological nor mental age is the issue, could it be assumed that U.S. high school environments are not adequately preparing adolescents to make informed decisions about their futures, leading them to wait until they are in college before considering a career as a U.S. MD/DO? Alternatively, is it purely an economic decision, with mandated college education generating revenue for society after compulsory public schooling has depleted societal resources?

In essence, mandating pre-medical training may be exacerbating disparities in the physician workforce by only allowing privileged U.S. individuals who can afford to take on four years of college debt to pursue medical education, while marginalized individuals may drop out of college due to the burden of debt or never consider becoming U.S. physicians in the first place by not enrolling in college.

Deepak Gupta is an anesthesiologist. Sarwan Kumar is an internal medicine physician.

Prev

Critical thinking in pain management [PODCAST]

March 7, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

Transforming health care with AI: Google Bard and BioGPT lead the way

March 8, 2023 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Medical school

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Critical thinking in pain management [PODCAST]
Next Post >
Transforming health care with AI: Google Bard and BioGPT lead the way

More by Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD

  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • The medical school selection process may be more crucial for shaping the future physician workforce 

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD

Related Posts

  • How the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for social media training in medical education 

    Oscar Chen, Sera Choi, and Clara Seong
  • Digital advances in the medical aid in dying movement

    Jennifer Lynn
  • Medical training and the systematic creation of mental health sufferers

    Douglas Sirutis
  • The first day of medical training during a pandemic

    Elizabeth D. Patton
  • A medical student’s physician inspiration

    Uju Momah
  • Why medical students need more continuity of care training

    Nathaniel Fleming

More in Education

  • The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage

    Kaelor Gordon
  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • From studying to baby kicks: Navigating motherhood in medical school

    Natalie Eichner-Seitz
  • The power of advocacy: a medical student’s journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

    Fabiola Plaza
  • From AI to love: the key to a better future in medical education

    Stevan Walkowski, DO
  • The cost of overpreparing: my experience with the USMLE and what I learned

    Mackenzie Poole
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • Lifestyle change: the forgotten solution in health care

      Tyler Petersen | Conditions
    • From physician to patient: one doctor’s journey to finding purpose after a devastating injury

      Stephanie Pearson, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • Why are doctors sued and politicians aren’t?

      Kellie Lease Stecher, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Contract Diagnostics is the only firm 100 percent dedicated to physician contract reviews

      Contract Diagnostics | Sponsored
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • How medical student loan forgiveness can advance health equity [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The rise of generative AI in health care: Here’s what you need to know

      Anil Saldanha | Tech
    • Finding peace through surrender: a personal exploration

      Dympna Weil, MD | Physician
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Heart Failure's Obesity Paradox Falls Apart on Further Inspection
  • Nobody Wants This Job. Should Physicians Stick Around?
  • Early Postpartum IUD Placement Yields Low Complete Expulsion Rate
  • Hydrocortisone Reduced Mortality in Patients With Severe Pneumonia
  • Obesity Tied to Density of Food Stores Carrying Less Healthy Options, Report Finds

Meeting Coverage

  • Trial of Novel TYK2 Inhibitor Hits Its Endpoint in Plaque Psoriasis
  • Durable Vitiligo Responses With Topical Ruxolitinib
  • High Rates of Psoriasis Clearance With Investigational TYK2 Inhibitor
  • Rapid Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis With Topical PDE4 Inhibitor
  • New Approaches in the Bladder-Sparing Paradigm
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • Lifestyle change: the forgotten solution in health care

      Tyler Petersen | Conditions
    • From physician to patient: one doctor’s journey to finding purpose after a devastating injury

      Stephanie Pearson, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
    • Why are doctors sued and politicians aren’t?

      Kellie Lease Stecher, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Contract Diagnostics is the only firm 100 percent dedicated to physician contract reviews

      Contract Diagnostics | Sponsored
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • How medical student loan forgiveness can advance health equity [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The rise of generative AI in health care: Here’s what you need to know

      Anil Saldanha | Tech
    • Finding peace through surrender: a personal exploration

      Dympna Weil, MD | Physician
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...