The United States is facing a significant shortage of doctors, particularly in primary care. By 2036, the country could be short as many as 40,000 primary care physicians, largely due to an aging population. To combat this issue, some medical schools are offering accelerated programs that allow students to complete their medical education in three years instead of the traditional four.

At UMass Chan Medical School, students Diego Marroquin and Jason Denoncourt are enrolled in the "Accelerated MD" track. This program is one of 33 nationwide designed for students committed to pursuing general medicine. Marroquin believes these fast-track programs could help alleviate the doctor shortage.

Dr. Joan Cangiarella, chair of the consortium for accelerated programs at NYU Langone Health, supports this approach. "This is one model that can really help produce physicians faster," she said. Cangiarella emphasized that the core content necessary for competent physicians is still covered in the shortened timeframe.

Research indicates that there is no significant difference in medical knowledge or performance between students who complete their education in three years versus those who take four years. Cangiarella noted that the learning process for doctors is ongoing. "A doctor's not going to come out today knowing everything. It's really lifelong learning. It's never going to be complete," she explained.

The financial implications of these accelerated programs are also noteworthy. Medical school tuition averages around $60,000 per year. By completing their education in one less year, students can save a substantial amount of money. Cangiarella estimates that graduates could save approximately a quarter of a million dollars over their lifetime by starting their practice earlier.

Additionally, many graduates from these programs choose to work in rural or underserved communities. Reports indicate that up to 70% of graduates from some accelerated programs go on to serve in these areas. Marroquin, who moved to the U.S. from Guatemala as a teenager, plans to return to his roots. "I want to go to Lawrence, Massachusetts, which is one of the poorest communities — myself coming from a background that's underrepresented in medicine," he said.

Denoncourt echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Starting residency a year earlier is one extra year that I get to take care of patients — and that could really mean a lot in their health." As the demand for healthcare continues to rise, these fast-track medical programs may play a crucial role in addressing the physician shortage.