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Explainers

The Journey To Become a Physician in Arkansas

January 31, 2024

Author

Jennifer Wessel, JD, MPH
Senior Policy Analyst

Contact

ACHI Communications
501-526-2244
jlyon@achi.net

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Arkansas currently faces a physician shortage. As of 2020, the state ranked among the lowest in the nation in terms of per capita physician workforce. Arkansas needs to expand its physician workforce pipeline — but these healthcare providers are not created overnight.

This infographic outlines the multi-step journey to become a physician in Arkansas, emphasizing the extensive education and training required.

References

  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. M*A*S*H. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://regionalcampuses.uams.edu/health-careers/high-school-students/mash/
  2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. High School Students. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://regionalcampuses.uams.edu/health-careers/high-school-students/
  3. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Programs. (2024, January 17). Personal communication.
  4. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Postbaccalaureate Pre-Med Program. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://medicine.uams.edu/admissions/post-bacc-premed/#:~:text=The%20Medical%20Scholars%20in%20Public,the%20medical%20school%20admissions%20process
  5. University of Arkansas. (2022, October 10). University of Arkansas Premedical Program. https://fulbright.uark.edu/programs/liebolt-premedical-program/#:~:text=Updated%2010%2F10%2F2022%20SharePoint%20Site%20Premed,provide%20guidance%20to%20those%20students
  6. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Pre-Health Scholars Program (Undergraduate Freshman and Sophomores). Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://ddei.uams.edu/outreach-programs/health-career-u/virtual-pre-health-scholars-program/
  7. Satter, L. (2021, June 22). UAMS welcomes 15 students to new post-baccalaureate pre-med, public health program. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. https://news.uams.edu/2021/06/22/uams-welcomes-15-students-to-new-post-baccalaureate-pre-med-public-health-program/
  8. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Accolades – May 17, 2023. https://medicine.uams.edu/blog/accolades-may-17-2023/
  9. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (2022, Nov. 14). MCAT coaching and tutoring program now accepting participants. https://news.uark.edu/articles/62627/mcat-coaching-and-tutoring-program-now-accepting-participants
  10. Association of American Medical Colleges. (2023, October 25). Table A-19: MCAT scores and GPAs for applicants to U.S. MD-granting medical schools by state of legal residence, 2023-2024. https://www.aamc.org/media/6071/download?attachment
  11. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 2024 guide for M.D. program applicants. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://medicine.uams.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2304296-COM-admissions-guide-web.pdf
  12. American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. (2023, October 25). Applicants and matriculants by COM 2009-2023. https://www.aacom.org/searches/reports/report/applicants-matriculants-by-com-2009-2023
  13. Association of American Medical Colleges. (2023, October 20). Table A-1: U.S. MD-granting medical school applications and matriculants by school, state of legal residence, and gender, 2023-2024. https://www.aamc.org/media/5976/download?attachment  
  14. Rural Health Information Hub. Arkansas Community Match Rural Physician Recruitment Program. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3038
  15. Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. (2023). Unpublished review of data collected from medical schools in Arkansas.
  16. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Graduate medical education totals by state. Retrieved January 31, 2024, from https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Reports/Report/13
  17. Association of American Medical Colleges. Arkansas physician workforce profile. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.aamc.org/media/58131/download  
  18. National Resident Matching Program. Fellowship match data and reports. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://www.nrmp.org/match-data-analytics/fellowship-data-reports/
  19. Arkansas State Medical Board. (2023, July 1). Physician licensure information packet. https://www.armedicalboard.org/Professionals/pdf/MD_AppPack.pdf
  20. Arkansas State Medical Board. License statistics. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://www.armedicalboard.org/Public/LicenseStatistics.aspx
  21. Arkansas State Medical Board. (2023, August 1). Arkansas Medical Practices Act statutes and rules. https://www.armedicalboard.org/Professionals/pdf/MPA.pdf