This graphic compares graduates by birth origins. It is not known whether this is an impact of education changes, the GI bill, the determination of returning soldiers, or specific admissions decisions at 4 different medical schools discovered so far.
Alabama, Kirksville, Illinois, Tulane with less dramatic changes in other states.
Understanding the impacts of "natural experiments" such as this and managed care aids in understanding approaches that will work regarding the nation's physician workforce.
No need for a war to have better distribution of medical students admitted, but there is a war on inequities that can be won with the right approach.
Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
10/13/04