Medicalxpress (09/04/2026)

In a perspective piece, researchers argue that strengthening primary care recruitment should begin during undergraduate medical education, noting that current accreditation standards do not require specific outpatient clinical exposure for medical students. Writing on behalf of the Society of General Internal Medicine and Association of Chiefs and Leaders of General Internal Medicine Hess Initiative Work Group, the authors contend that early experiences are critical because specialty preferences often develop before residency. They propose a multifaceted approach that includes reducing administrative burdens and educational debt, leveraging innovations such as artificial intelligence and team-based care, providing incentives and protected time for primary care faculty, and expanding students' exposure to primary care through clerkships and mentorship. The researchers also recommend that medical schools and accrediting bodies establish minimum ambulatory rotation requirements to help rebuild the primary care workforce and reinforce the value of primary care across the healthcare system.

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