Every year I hear about qualified premeds not getting into med school because there are so few spots. Why are qualified people being turned away if there’s a worsening doctor shortage in the US?

Question

Every year I hear about qualified premeds not getting into med school because there are so few spots. Why are qualified people being turned away if there’s a worsening doctor shortage in the US?

In: 3577

Answer 1

It’s a barrier to entry so it keeps salaries for existing doctors high by keeping competition low. This is basically the case with every profession that has certifications or licensing to perform the job; electricians, plumbers, actuaries, lawyers, etc. People in the profession don’t *really* care if there’s a shortage because it only benefits them, their customers are the ones who care. Unfortunately, the customers don’t know shit about the profession so “those people weren’t smart/driven enough”, “it’s really hard/expensive to build a new school”, “not many people have the skills we need for our meagre wages”, etc. are accepted by the customers because how am I supposed to know who should or shouldn’t be a doctor.