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Tackling Alabama's Doctor Shortage with Osteopathic Medicine

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Monday, June 12, 2023   

Like many rural states, Alabama struggles with a dwindling workforce of primary care physicians, which means growing gaps in access to care for its residents, but osteopathic medicine is on the rise, and it may be one way to address the challenge.

Osteopathic doctors are trained to focus on a patient's lifestyle factors and prevention of disease and injuries.

Dr. Robert Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, said their schools and residencies are targeting the needs of rural areas.

"Our (osteopathic) schools have shown themselves to be high producers of primary care physicians who stay in the state where they are trained," Cain explained. "Our philosophy is sort of draw from the local area, train in the local area, and then try to keep them in the local area."

Alabama currently lacks around 3,000 physicians. Cain pointed out osteopathic medical students make up 25% of future physicians in the country, with a projection the number will grow to one-third by 2030.

The Alabama Legislature passed the Physician Workforce Act this year to help address doctor shortages in the state. Among other things, it makes it easier for doctors from other states to come to work in Alabama. Cain added recruitment in osteopathic medicine around the country must also continue to be a focus.

"We do have two schools also located in Alabama, that have been there for about that same period of time," Cain noted. "I know we have a very high percentage of counties also without care, so we're hoping to see the change in that location."

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, a 2021 study predicted the U.S. will face a shortage of between 38,000 and 124,000 physicians by 2032.


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