Health Professions Education: Role of Title VII/VIII Programs in
Improving Access to Care Is Unclear (Letter Report, 07/08/94,
GAO/HEHS-94-164).

During the past decade, the supply of nearly all health professionals
has increased faster than has the population. For most health
professions, however, data are unavailable to show whether this
increased supply has translated into more access to care in rural and
underserved areas. For the two professions with the most data
available--primary care physicians and general dentists--supply has
increased in many rural areas but not in those urban and rural areas
with the greatest shortages. GAO's findings are similar for minority
recruitment: Although the number of minorities in the health professions
is increasing, data are inconclusive about whether further increases
will improve access to health care for underserved populations. Although
nearly $2 billion has been provided to 30 Title VII and VIII programs
during the last 10 years, evaluations have not shown that these programs
have had a significant effect on changes in the supply, distribution,
and minority representation of health professionals.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  HEHS-94-164
     TITLE:  Health Professions Education: Role of Title VII/VIII 
             Programs in Improving Access to Care Is Unclear
      DATE:  07/08/94
   SUBJECT:  Health care services
             Medical economic analysis
             Physicians
             Data collection operations
             Rural economic development
             Health care personnel
             Minorities
             Urban development programs
             Medical education
             Program evaluation
IDENTIFIER:  National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
             
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