Debt of Family Medicine Residents Continues to Grow

Julie P Phillips; Zachary J Morgan; Andrew W Bazemore; Lars E Peterson

doi:10.3122/jabfm.2021.03.200567

Debt of Family Medicine Residents Continues to Grow

J Am Board Fam Med. 2021 May-Jun;34(3):663-664. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.03.200567.

Authors

Julie P Phillips¹, Zachary J Morgan¹, Andrew W Bazemore¹, Lars E Peterson²

Affiliations

¹ From the Sparrow-Michigan State University Family Medicine Residency Program, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing (JPP); American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (ZJM, AWB, LEP); Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington (ZJM, AWB, LEP).
² From the Sparrow-Michigan State University Family Medicine Residency Program, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing (JPP); American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (ZJM, AWB, LEP); Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington (ZJM, AWB, LEP). lpeterson@theabfm.org.

PMID: 34088826
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.03.200567

Abstract

The proportion of family medicine residents with ≥$250,000 in self-reported educational debt rose from 26% in 2014% to 47% in 2019. Such a rapid rise in high indebtedness is concerning, given known associations with resident distress. Previous research has also shown that highly indebted residents are less likely to choose academics, geriatrics, and service-oriented career paths.

Keywords: Career Choice; Family Medicine; Medical Education; Primary Health Care; Students; Workforce.

MeSH terms

Career Choice
Family Practice / education
Humans
Internship and Residency*
Students, Medical*
Surveys and Questionnaires