Inland Empire Seeks More Doctors To Treat Underserved Populations
Efforts in the Inland Empire to attract more doctors to treat underserved populations could be used as a model for other regions across the U.S., Kaiser Health News reports.
Background
The Inland Empire region -- which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties -- has been experiencing a doctor shortage for decades, according to KHN.
The population has nearly tripled since 1980, and there were just 43 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents in 2011 -- half the recommended number, according to a California HealthCare Foundation study released last year. CHCF publishes California Healthline.
The patient population has grown as more residents gain private insurance or Medi-Cal coverage under the Affordable Care Act, according to KHN. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.
Details of Inland Empire Efforts
The efforts underway in Riverside and San Bernardino counties aim to:
- Increase the number of residency slots in the region; and
- Lure more physicians to the area.
For example, Inland Empire Health Plan has allocated $8 million to provide grants to physician practices, hospitals and the county health system that can be used to defray the cost of hiring new doctors.
In addition, UC-Riverside is using "mission-based scholarships" to recruit medical students who will commit to practicing primary care in the area for at least five years after they complete their residency.
G. Richard Olds, dean of the UC-Riverside School of Medicine, said the university is specifically trying to attract doctors who can relate to disadvantaged patients, including those who:
- Grew up in the region;
- Speak English as a second language; and
- Were the first person in their family to attend college (Wang/de Marco, Kaiser Health News, 6/4).