Association Between Title VII Funding for Medical Schools and Physician Workforce Outcomes (2017-18)
Investigators: Ryan Kandrack, BS; Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP; Tom Ricketts, PhD, MPH
Background: In 2008, Rittenhouse et al published a study that looked at the association between physicians attending a Title VII-funded medical school or residency program and later practicing in a community health center (CHC) and/or participating in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. Understanding these patterns could help policy making around CHC staffing and federal budget priorities.
Study aims: This study is an adaptation and update of the Rittenhouse study. The analysis compares characteristics of physicians who graduated from Title VII-funded medical schools and those who graduated from other medical schools from 2004-2010. Data sources include the 2016 AMA Physician Masterfile, NHSC participant data, Title VII awardees, AHRF county-level data, and American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The study will look at individual characteristics (NHSC participation, specialty, type of practice, major professional activity) and practice location (rural county, shortage designation) of Title VII participants and correlate them with their HRSA-funded activity.
Alignment with BHW priorities: The methodology of this study is intended to develop a simplified, easily replicated process for describing and evaluating Title VII outcomes. This can be built into a more rigorous analysis for more detailed program or overall Title VII evaluation. The outcomes of this study can help BHW and HRSA evaluate the effectiveness of their support in producing physicians that meet HRSA’s mission “to improve health and achieve health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce and innovative programs”.
Related HWRC projects:
The Future of Medicaid-Funded Graduate Medical Education as the Health Care System Shifts (2015-16)