Experts expect the demand for physicians to grow.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), more students now apply and enroll in medical school than ever before. Over the last few decades, medical school applications have increased more than 50%, and first-time enrollments have grown by nearly 30%. Furthermore, applicant and matriculant pools have grown more diverse; they include rising numbers of women and people with diverse backgrounds.
Addressing the physician shortage
The United States doesn’t have enough physicians to meet increasing care demands. Experts urge students to pursue medical education, but they also say the physician shortage calls for systemic and institutional changes in addition to increased medical school enrollment. The AAMC says we need greater support for graduate education and educational innovations to accommodate shifting care demands. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA works to address these pressing needs.
Greater support for graduate education
The DGSOM supports greater access to medical school through scholarship programs. Thanks to an unprecedented gift from David Geffen, the David Geffen Medical Scholarships cover the entire cost of education for up to 20% of entering medical students per year. Furthermore, leadership considers all applicants for the UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, which provides full tuition and a research stipend.
Educational innovations
By teaching students how to practice team-based, highly efficient care, leaders hope to mitigate some complications of the physician shortage. The DGSOM’s opening of Geffen Hall marks major progress in this area. This learning hub enables small group work, team-based clinical exercises, and practice with technology that could provide optimal care.
"Geffen Hall symbolizes the launch of a new era - with high-tech, high-touch, highly interconnected, interactive education," says Dr. Clarence H. Braddock III, vice dean for education.
Preparing for medical challenges
As the physician shortage increases, medical careers could become more challenging as practitioners must adapt to emerging issues. To prepare students for these real-world challenges, the DGSOM offers a range of learning, research and hands-on service experiences. When students graduate, they are not just ready to meet existing challenges; they’re ready to lead the medical community in proactively addressing new and emerging challenges.
Explore how DGSOM prepares future medical leaders.
