Anna, a fourth-year medical student at Georgetown, initially aimed for a specialty but discovered a passion for family medicine, which values long-term patient care. Despite the rising interest in medical careers among Gen Z, many medical residencies in primary care struggle to attract students. This trend continues despite a forecasted shortage of family doctors, largely due to an aging population and changing job market. The medical field's undervaluation of primary care roles adds to the challenge, as pay and administrative burdens deter many from pursuing it.
Like Anna, a lot of Gen Zers want to be doctors - a survey last year found a rising interest in healthcare work among high-achieving high school students.
People would say, 'Oh, wow, you're such a competitive applicant. You could do anything you want. Why family med?' This made me think I wasn't reaching my full potential.
The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis predicts a shortage of about 87,000 family doctors by 2037, exacerbated by an aging doctor workforce.
Across the medical field, people look down on primary care work because it doesn't pay as well and is seen as an administrative slog.
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