Alabama aims to improve doctor shortage with new program

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Alabama is launching a new program that could help address the state’s doctor shortage.

Experts say the shortage has caused delays in people’s medical care and is attributed to numerous factors such as doctors feeling burnt out after COVID and medical students having trouble entering the industry.

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama shared there are more medical students than there are residency slots.

Now, Alabama is launching its new Bridge Year Graduate Physician Program.

The program, which passed during the 2023 legislative session, allows medical school graduates who did not get into residency programs to study under the supervision of licensed physician for at least a year.

Individuals can then reapply for residency.

Alabama now joins 10 states with similar initiatives.

“It’s not going to be a cure-all. We never pretended that it would be,” said Mark Jackson, Executive Director of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. “This program will help alleviate. It will add additional manpower to the physician workforce where the student will be able to, working with that supervising physician, will be able to see patients and try to help their healthcare needs.”

Since Alabama has an aging population, the medical association says doctors are needed to assist these older patients.

Applications for the new Bridge Year Graduate Physician Program are available now.

For applicants to qualify for this program, they must have graduated and completed two of the three steps for licensure examination, according to the medical association.

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