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Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review

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  • Alexandre Medeiros de Figueiredo

    (Department of Health Promotion, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Jardim Universitário, S/N, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraiba, Brazil
    Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil)

  • Antonio Olry de Labry Lima

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Cuesta del Observatorio 4, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18011 Granada, Andalusia, Spain)

  • Daniela Cristina Moreira Marculino de Figueiredo

    (Department of Statistics, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Jardim Universitário, S/N, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil)

  • Alexandre José de Melo Neto

    (Department of Health Promotion, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Jardim Universitário, S/N, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraiba, Brazil)

  • Erika Maria Sampaio Rocha

    (Health Science Training Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória 29075-910, Espirito Santo, Brazil)

  • George Dantas de Azevedo

    (Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Cel Martiniano, 541, Caico 59300-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil)

Abstract

The shortage of physicians in rural and underserved areas is an obstacle to the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). We carried out a systematic review to analyze the effectiveness of initiatives in medical education aimed to increase the supply of physicians in rural or underserved areas. We searched for studies published between 1999 and 2019 in six databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Interventional or observational controlled studies were defined as inclusion criteria. A total of 955 relevant unique records were selected for inclusion, which resulted in the identification of 17 articles for analysis. The admission of students from rural areas associated with a rural curriculum represented 52.95% of the interventions. Medical practice after graduation in rural or underserved areas was the most evaluated outcome, representing 12 publications (70.59%). Participants of these educational initiatives were more likely to work in rural or underserved areas or to choose family medicine, with significant differences between the groups in 82.35% of the studies. Educational strategies in undergraduate and medical residencies are effective. However, it is necessary to expand these interventions to ensure the supply of physicians in rural or urban underserved areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Medeiros de Figueiredo & Antonio Olry de Labry Lima & Daniela Cristina Moreira Marculino de Figueiredo & Alexandre José de Melo Neto & Erika Maria Sampaio Rocha & George Dantas de Azevedo, 2023. "Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:5983-:d:1158230
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