News Release

Dec. 1, 2006

Study to Look at Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Family Physicians

Boise State University’s Center for Health Policy is heading a new study that will examine recruitment and retention challenges faced by rural hospitals and family physicians in Idaho. The study is funded by a grant from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare through a federal award from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Project partners are from the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho and Idaho Academy of Family Physicians Inc.

Idaho is one of several states expected to face a serious shortage of family physicians by 2020, based on population growth and an increase in the number of elderly citizens. Idaho currently has about 480 family physicians; need is expected to rise to 720 by 2020. Many of these physicians practice in rural areas, where it is most difficult to attract and retain physicians.

“This study is important in that it will help rural Idaho communities recruit and retain family physicians and will consequently help improve the health of these Idahoans through increasing access to primary care medicine,” said Ed Baker, director of the Center for Health Policy and principal investigator for the study.

Two surveys will be developed, one directed at hospital administrators in rural areas and the other at practicing rural family physicians. The surveys will assess the challenges both entities face in attracting and retaining new physicians, and the final report will offer suggestions to help Idaho attract enough physicians to meet the health care needs of rural communities in the future.

David Schmitz, rural director at the Family Medical Residency of Idaho, is medical director for the study, and Neva Santos, executive director of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians Inc., is coordinating communication with physicians.

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Contact: Ed Baker, Center for Health Policy, (208) 426-3118, ebaker@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu

Where you see blue, we see the largest institution of higher education in Idaho. For the ninth time in the last 10 years, Boise State University has set an all‑time state record with a fall enrollment of 18,876 students. Since 1996, Boise State’s student population has increased 25 percent.
 

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007