States Ease Licensing Requirements For Foreign-Trained Physicians To Ease Staff Shortages

I read this morning in my family medicine update email that per KFF Health News (3/3, Zionts) reports, “A growing number of states have made it easier for doctors who trained in other countries to get medical licenses, a shift supporters say could ease physician shortages in rural areas.”

Since 2023, at least nine states, including Florida and Illinois, have eliminated the requirement for these doctors to repeat residency training in the US. Supporters argue this change could help meet health care needs, while opponents “worry about patient safety and doubt the licensing change will ease the doctor shortage.”

The Federation of State Medical Boards and other health organizations “published its recommendations to help lawmakers and medical boards make sure these new pathways are safe and effective.”

As a medical educator, Annually, I recruit and train 8 family medicine physicians in Reno, Nevada. But, more than 8 per year locally leave medicine (retire, die, move away) and we are seemingly not making any headway.

Indeed, we do have a physician shortage in the US which is being filled (or not filled at all!) with mid-level providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants). Foreign-trained physicians offer more extensive training and may come to the US with years (or decades!) of medical experience. This is an interesting solution to a worsening medical environment in the US. I will follow along…