The new Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Conn., will aim to train physicians who want to go into primary care, rather than a specific medical specialty, according to an article from Kaiser Health News. The school’s dean Bruce Koeppen notes that selecting the correct applicants it crucial in achieving its mission; the school will enroll its first class in the fall of 2013. Demographic data shows that women are more likely to choose general medicine than men, and individuals entering medicine as a second career are also more likely to pursue primary care.

According to Koeppen, the fact that primary care physicians don’t make as much money as specialists, the range of knowledge required for primary care, and the lack of respect the accompanies a primary care practitioners are the main challenges for attracting medical school students to practice primary care after graduation. However, the Quinnipiac program plans to partner students with primary care physicians with the aim of giving students hands-on experience in primary care. The school’s goal is for 50% of its graduates to stay in primary care.

Read the full article on the Kaiser Health News website.