Minnesota considers foreign-trained physicians to boost workforce

At the request of the Minnesota Legislature, the Task Force on Foreign-Trained Physicians was convened to address barriers that prevent foreign-trained physicians from practicing in the state. The task force recently issued a report of its findings.

 

According to the report, the state could save more than $63 million by using foreign-born physicians to address shortages in underserved areas. However, foreign-trained physicians face obstacles securing medical residencies due to the requirement by many programs for recent medical school graduation. There is an estimated 250 to 400 unlicensed immigrant physicians in the state.

 

The task force recommendations include creating a statewide council on immigrant physicians, developing a new licensure option for immigrant physicians, encouraging residency programs to ease their requirement regarding an applicant’s date of medical school graduation, and creating dedicated residency positions in rural/underserved areas.