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Review

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

by
Alexandre Medeiros de Figueiredo
1,2,*,
Antonio Olry de Labry Lima
3,
Daniela Cristina Moreira Marculino de Figueiredo
4,
Alexandre José de Melo Neto
1,
Erika Maria Sampaio Rocha
5 and
George Dantas de Azevedo
6
1
Department of Health Promotion, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Jardim Universitário, S/N, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraiba, Brazil
2
Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
3
Andalusian School of Public Health, Cuesta del Observatorio 4, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18011 Granada, Andalusia, Spain
4
Department of Statistics, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Jardim Universitário, S/N, Castelo Branco, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil
5
Health Science Training Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória 29075-910, Espirito Santo, Brazil
6
Multicampi School of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Cel Martiniano, 541, Caico 59300-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 5983; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115983
Submission received: 29 March 2023 / Revised: 20 May 2023 / Accepted: 22 May 2023 / Published: 29 May 2023
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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.
Keywords: education; medical; medically underserved area; career choice education; medical; medically underserved area; career choice

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MDPI and ACS Style

Figueiredo, A.M.d.; Labry Lima, A.O.d.; Figueiredo, D.C.M.M.d.; Neto, A.J.d.M.; Rocha, E.M.S.; Azevedo, G.D.d. Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 5983. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115983

AMA Style

Figueiredo AMd, Labry Lima AOd, Figueiredo DCMMd, Neto AJdM, Rocha EMS, Azevedo GDd. Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(11):5983. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115983

Chicago/Turabian Style

Figueiredo, Alexandre Medeiros de, Antonio Olry de Labry Lima, Daniela Cristina Moreira Marculino de Figueiredo, Alexandre José de Melo Neto, Erika Maria Sampaio Rocha, and George Dantas de Azevedo. 2023. "Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 11: 5983. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115983

APA Style

Figueiredo, A. M. d., Labry Lima, A. O. d., Figueiredo, D. C. M. M. d., Neto, A. J. d. M., Rocha, E. M. S., & Azevedo, G. D. d. (2023). Educational Strategies to Reduce Physician Shortages in Underserved Areas: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(11), 5983. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115983

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