Tennessee has enacted a law that will create a medical position called "graduate physicians," also known as assistant physicians, Cato Institute reported May 17.
Graduate physicians are medical school graduates who have not found a residency position, due to a surplus of medical schools and a shortage of residency spots.
The new law will allow these graduates to practice primary care under a supervising physician for two years. After the two-year cap, graduates will no longer be able to practice medicine without entering residency.
Approximately 7 percent of Doctor of Medicine and 8 percent of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine graduates failed to match with a residency program in 2022, according to the American Medical Association. The new position will allow these graduates to continue honing their skills while awaiting residency and utilize their primary care knowledge.
The law is meant to be a solution to the healthcare provider shortage in the state. Other states with similar measures include Missouri, Arizona, Arkansas, Utah, Kansas, Louisiana and Idaho.