PCOM is committed to building and sustaining collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships with institutions and organizations that form an infrastructure for support of medical education and graduate education programs. Such relationships secure competitiveness and long-term success.
STEMMING THE TIDE OF PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES
Numerous studies have predicted that U.S. physician workforce levels are not sufficient to meet the increase in demand for services that will result from aging and chronically ill populations. By the year 2020, this growing shortage could exceed 85,000 physicians, according to a recent study released by the Council on Graduate Medical Education. Some experts have projected a shortfall as high as 200,000.
To make up for the projected deficit, the American Medical Association has committed to “work to develop mechanisms, including identification of funding sources, to create medical school and residency positions in or adjacent to physician shortage/underserved areas and in undersupplied specialties.”
“We all must be concerned with the potential endangerment of patient access to health care, the affordability of care and the quality of care,” notes Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean. “PCOM has been on the leading edge of addressing physician workforce needs in Pennsylvania, and now in Georgia and the South through its branch campus.”
Because of admissions increases at many medical schools, graduate training opportunities are often disjointed. Yet, countering this popular trend, PCOM retains students in Pennsylvania by exposing them to and matching them into internships and residencies in a consortium of affiliated hospitals known as PCOM MedNET. “Strong hospital systems within PCOM MedNET appeal to many of our best and brightest young physicians,” notes Richard A. Pascucci, DO ’75, vice dean for clinical education and executive director, PCOM MedNET.
More than 60 percent of the osteopathic medical class of 2008 has opted to remain in the Commonwealth for graduate medical education. And over 100 of these graduates have selected a PCOM MedNET partner at which to continue their education. Their selected disciplines include those areas of greatest need: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. “The aim is to equip our interns and residents with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide high-quality medical care. Their training experiences reinforce their professional ties in Pennsylvania, and oftentimes present them with practice opportunities that are close to home, family and friends,” says Dr. Pascucci.
In fact, PCOM provides the Commonwealth with more physicians than any other medical school. Approximately 2,400 alumni practice in 64 counties throughout Pennsylvania— including many disadvantaged communities in urban and rural areas.
PCOM is also playing a role in the creation of new residencies in Georgia through a collaborative effort with the Georgia Physician Workforce Investment Board as well as advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. As the College prepares to graduate its first osteopathic medical class from the Georgia campus, it recognizes the importance of graduate training opportunities in fulfilling its mission of educating physicians for service in the South.
JOINT-DEGREE COLLABORATIONS
Among PCOM’s five joint-degree collaborations is a novel partnership with Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia. In July 2008, PCOM and Brenau co-constructed a five-year accelerated BS/MS degree in physician assistant studies. Students will complete a three-year specialized pre-professional program at Brenau and then relocate to Philadelphia to complete classroom-based study in PCOM’s physician assistant program. For the fifth year of the combined program, students will return to Georgia for clinical education at Georgia-based institutions. The affiliation may ultimately create spots for 15 Brenau students each year.
COMMUNITY SERVICE RELATIONSHIPS
Bridging the Gaps: Community Health Internship Program links the training of health and social service professionals with the provision of health-related services and patient advocacy for underserved and economically disadvantaged populations. At PCOM, the program is a seven-week learning experience available to DO students. In 2007-2008, PCOM students served community sites including Bartram Beacon; Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc.; Covenant House Pennsylvania; Intercommunity Action, Inc.; New Directions for Women, Inc.; and Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center.