Rabinowitz HK, Hojat M, Veloski JJ, Rattner SL, Robeson MR, Xu G, Appel MH, Cochran C, Jones RL, Kanter SL. Who is a generalist? An analysis of whether physicians trained as generalists practice as generalists.
Eval Health Prof 1999;
22:497-502. [PMID:
10623403 DOI:
10.1177/016327879902200406]
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Abstract
Accurate data on the number of generalist physicians are needed to monitor the physician workforce and to plan for future requirements in the changing health care system. This study assessed the relationship between two frequently used definitions of a generalist physician: completion of graduate medical education (GME) in only a generalist discipline and physician's self-report of practicing as a generalist. Data for 4,808 physician graduates from six Pennsylvania medical schools from 1986 to 1991 were analyzed using information from the GME tracking census of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Physician Masterfile of the American Medical Association. Of 1,291 physicians trained in a generalist discipline, 1,205 (93%) reported practicing as generalists. Conversely, of the 3,517 not trained in a generalist discipline, 3,358 (95%) were not practicing as generalists. These results indicate GME training is a valid predictor of self-reported practice and provide baseline data to monitor future changes.
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