Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH President | Official website
The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted several new policies to address ongoing challenges in medical education, particularly focusing on rural healthcare access, continuing medical education (CME) reporting, and fair compensation for medical fellows.
In response to the primary care physician shortage in rural areas, the AMA is advocating for a comprehensive review of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scoring system used by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. This program provides scholarships and loan repayment in exchange for commitments to practice in underserved areas. The AMA calls for enhanced federal and state resources to improve data accuracy within the Shortage Designation Management System (SDMS), which influences HPSA scores. "The primary care physician shortage is hitting rural areas hard, and it’s projected to get worse,” said AMA Trustee Alexander Ding, MD, MS, MBA. He emphasized the need for accurate data and an improved scoring system to ensure access to healthcare in rural communities.
Additionally, the AMA is working to reduce financial and administrative burdens associated with CME reporting for physicians. As owner of one of three major CME credit systems in the U.S., the AMA urges all licensing and specialty boards to recognize all AMA Physician’s Recognition Award credits equally. The policy promotes a common reporting standard across medical boards. "With all of the other administrative burdens physicians face every day, it is vital to take steps toward simplifying the CME reporting process,” said AMA Trustee Melissa J. Garretson, MD.
Furthermore, a new policy has been adopted to strengthen the "Residents and Fellows’ Bill of Rights," advocating for fair salaries and benefits that reflect fellows' advanced training levels. Many fellowship programs are funded through grants or institutional budgets rather than federal funding like residency programs. "Medical fellows have already completed years of rigorous training... It is essential that fellowship programs provide fair pay and benefits," stated AMA Trustee Pratistha Koirala, MD, PhD.
These policies underscore the AMA's commitment to addressing critical issues affecting medical professionals at various stages of their careers.
