New AMA policies address medical residency

During the American Medical Association (AMA) interim meeting this week, members of the AMA House of Delegates adopted two policies to address the changing nature of U.S. medical residencies. One of the new policies asks the AMA to study the effect of ever-increasing Match participants against the "stagnant growth" of U.S. residency positions. The policy requires a report at the AMA Annual Meeting in June.

The second policy calls for key stakeholders to explore the feasibility of extending residency programs through a pilot study that places medical graduates in integrated physician-led practices; it also directs the AMA to seek funding for the program from private sources. In addition to increasing residency opportunities, the pilot also would increase the number of physicians providing healthcare access. The policy announcements followed a November 15 forum, during which medical education leaders discussed new solutions to the GME crisis.