title: Addressing the Primary Care Shortage on a Shoestring: A Successful Track in an Internal Medicine Residency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nationally, shortages of primary care providers are of major concern. Internal medicine programs, once the major supplier of primary care physicians, are no longer producing large numbers of primary care providers to help meet the needs of the growing patient population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009, residents at the University of New Mexico created a resident-driven Primary Care Track (PCT) within the internal medicine residency, and after six years this track is thriving. The PCT allows residents to designate blocks of time specifically devoted to primary care training. Residents opt in to the track at the end of intern year and arrange their own schedules over large blocks of time in the last two years of training to allow for an individualized curriculum that prepares them for independent practice in primary care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 85% (11/13) of residents who have graduated from the track have gone on to practice in primary care after graduation, and the internal medicine residency program as a whole has also seen an increase in the fraction of residents pursuing primary care since the inception of this track.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PCT is currently at maximum capacity and may be forced to turn away applicants. To expand while still maintaining the core principles of the track, the PCT will strive to find additional ways to use New Mexico's existing resources and to develop a more robust mentoring structure and didactic programs. Formalized financial, faculty, and administrative support of the program also will be needed.
authors.affiliation: H. Brislen is clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, University of New Mexico, and New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico. A. Dunn is staff physician, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico. A. Parada is assistant professor of internal medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. P. Rendon is assistant professor of internal medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brislen
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Alisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parada
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rendon
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008611:Mentors; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000193:education / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce