Sunday, May 6, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Georgia is working to keep its medical students in state as a way of addressing the doctor shortage here.

The state legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal added funding for 400 more residency slots in the fiscal year 2013 budget.

Of those who went to medical school and did their residency in Georgia, nearly 72 percent were practicing in the state, compared with 46 percent of all graduates of Georgia medical schools. This summer, 42 of the 184 residents entering a first-year program will stay in Georgia. Of those 70 will pursue primary care.

Data shows when Georgia residency programs get medical school graduates from other states, nearly half remain to practice here.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)