International medical graduates (IMGs) are very important in meeting workforce needs in healthcare. Yet the role of the IMG in meeting the workforce needs of pediatricians, both generalists and specialists, has not received the attention it needs. Duvivier et al (10.1542/peds.2020-003301) describe the current supply of IMGs, their distribution in the US, and other defining attributes of this important group of pediatricians. The authors provide an analysis of a cross-sectional look at data combined from the 2019 Masterfile of the American Medical Association and the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. Their findings begin by noting that in 2019, there were 92,806 pediatricians of whom 21,611 identify as IMGs, accounting for 23.2 % of generalists and specialists in our profession. These individuals are a combination of 4,775 US citizens (22%) who got their medical degrees outside of the US or Canada and 3,246 students (15.4%) who got their MD degrees in the Caribbean. The authors report that IMGs are more likely to be in solo practice whereas US med school graduates are more likely to be in groups or hospital-based practices. There is a plethora of interesting factiles in the data contained in this study that not only describe the state of pediatric IMGs in our country but also offers us a chance to reflect on how these data might influence the workforce now and going into the future.
Understanding where IMGs practice and what specialties they go into can help best determine whether areas of this country or which specialties will experience a shortage. The ability of IMGs and the diversity of their cultures enrich our field and can help us reach out to all families. The authors offer a reflective discussion of how the prevalence of IMGs in this country could change due to recent immigration policies and what this means for pediatrics and families across the country. While this is only a cross-sectional look, it is an important start for the longitudinal trend studies that will follow to demonstrate just how IMGs are making a difference in improving care delivery to children across our country. Journey to this important article and learn more.
