The global healthcare landscape is facing a significant challenge: a shortage of primary care physicians. This scarcity poses a threat to healthcare systems worldwide, as these doctors are the cornerstone of preventive medicine, patient care coordination, and the crucial link between individuals and specialized medical services. Recognizing this growing crisis, the Keck School of Medicine of USC took a proactive step by establishing the Primary Care Initiative (PCI) and its core component, the Primary Care Program. This innovative program is specifically designed to inspire and equip medical students to choose and excel in primary care careers.
Launched in 2011 by the Department of Family Medicine, the Primary Care Program at Keck School of Medicine offers a unique pathway for a diverse group of medical students. It immerses them in community-based primary care settings, primarily serving underserved urban populations throughout their medical education. A recent study analyzing alumni outcomes provides compelling evidence of the program’s effectiveness. This research, a rare example of its kind, tracks not only postgraduate training choices but also the actual career paths of practicing physicians. The findings are remarkable: 71% of the 86 surveyed alumni successfully matched into primary care residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or medicine-pediatrics. Furthermore, among those who had completed or were nearing completion of their residency training, an impressive 70% were actively practicing primary care or firmly on track to do so.
“Medical schools often lack sufficient primary care physician role models,” explains Dr. Jo Marie Reilly, MD, MPH, the founding director of PCI and a professor of family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. “Our program provides a platform for students to witness the vast scope and impact of primary care services, enabling them to envision fulfilling and impactful careers in this field.” The study, featured in Family Medicine, was also co-authored by Dr. Isabel Edge, MD, assistant director of PCI and clinical assistant professor of family medicine, and Ilana Greenberg, MPH, PCI manager.
Cultivating Primary Care Careers for Communities in Need
A particularly striking statistic from the study highlights the program’s influence: 40% of USC Primary Care Program alumni who pursued internal medicine residencies chose to practice or planned to practice primary care. This figure significantly contrasts with national averages, where only 10% to 15% of internal medicine residents typically enter primary care, with the majority opting for hospitalist positions or subspecialties like oncology or cardiology.
“The immersive training experience at the Keck School of Medicine demonstrably strengthens our students’ commitment to primary care,” Dr. Reilly notes. “The program’s emphasis on community engagement allows students to experience firsthand the profound value of continuity of care and the deep, lasting relationships they can build with patients. For many, this patient-centered connection is the very reason they chose to pursue medicine in the first place.”
Reflecting the Primary Care Program’s community-focused mission, 90% of alumni practicing medicine are serving urban communities. Additionally, 77% reported accepting Medicaid or Medi-Cal, indicating a strong commitment to working with underserved patient populations. The program’s impact extends beyond clinical practice. A remarkable 60% of practicing alumni are actively mentoring medical students and postgraduate trainees, while 62% are involved in teaching, 31% hold medical leadership roles, and 24% participate in advocacy efforts.
“We emphasize that comprehensive care extends beyond the confines of the clinic,” says Dr. Edge. “Our program naturally fosters mentorship, leadership, and advocacy, as these are integral components of effective primary care practice.”
A Model for the Future of Primary Care Training
Dr. Edge emphasizes the strong sense of community fostered by the Primary Care Program. Medical students with a passion for primary care find a supportive network of like-minded peers, dedicated family medicine faculty mentors, and experienced physician preceptors in community practices.
“There is significant value in nurturing and sustaining the initial passion students bring to medical school,” she states. “We aim to reinforce their dedication to primary care throughout their medical education, so they emerge even more committed to serving in this vital field. The program’s community aspect plays a crucial role in achieving this.”
A key motivation for documenting the Primary Care Program’s success is to offer a replicable model and curriculum for other medical schools. PCI leaders believe this is essential to amplify the program’s impact and address the national primary care shortage on a larger scale.
“Students arrive with a strong sense of idealism about their future medical practice,” Dr. Reilly concludes. “Our program demonstrates the integrated, comprehensive, and patient-centered care that is truly possible in primary care. Our curriculum is designed to keep their passion alive and thriving. We envision the Primary Care Program as a successful training model, not just in California, but as a resource to share with colleagues across the nation.”
Dr. Edge adds, “Addressing the primary care shortage requires a collective effort. By showcasing the demonstrated effectiveness of our program, we hope to inspire and empower colleagues at other institutions to adopt and adapt similar models in training the next generation of physicians.”
