Graduate Medical Education (GME) is a vital component of our healthcare system at both the national and local levels. At the national level, it is the key link between medical school, licensure, and board certification, ensuring an adequate supply of well-trained physicians to meet our country’s healthcare needs. On a more local level, GME programs are among the most important components of physician recruitment and have a direct impact on staffing, productivity, and the delivery of quality care.
Many healthcare professionals, consultants, and planners have some knowledge of GME, yet relatively few have a full understanding of all facets of GME. This report is intended as a general primer. For those new to GME, it provides a broad overview. For seasoned professionals, it may help fill in gaps in knowledge.
Topics covered include:
- The difference between medical degrees, state licensure, and board eligibility
- Sponsoring institutions and sites of care
- The GME pipeline and projected physician shortages
- GME funding sources and challenges
- GME governance and program requirements
- Residency positions by specialty and gender
- The structure of major residency specialty programs
- Residency impacts on productivity
- Resident time allocation
By Donovan Gow, Phyllis Klawsky and Ayse Forier | July 2020
