Idaho has about 170 pediatric primary care doctors — to care for about 450,000 children.
That’s why the state ranks 50th in the U.S. for pediatricians per capita.
But amid Idaho’s rapid growth, health care leaders have a plan to recruit and train more health care providers. One major missing piece of the health care puzzle will be filled, starting next July: a pediatric residency program.
The Pediatric Residency of Idaho is a partnership between the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho and St. Luke’s Health System.
Residencies are post-graduate training programs for doctors who have completed medical school but, before they can become licensed physicians, must complete three or more years of training under the supervision of more experienced “attending” physicians.
“There is not a pediatric residency that exists between the Pacific Coast and the Minnesota border,” FMRI pediatrician Dr. Perry Brown said in a news release announcing the program. Brown spearheaded the residency after leading the family medicine residency’s pediatric training section. He will serve as its director.
Read the full article at Idaho Capital Sun News