Bonners Ferry Local Guide including all of Boundary County Idaho

Study looks at retaining Idaho doctors

Monday, December 4, 2006; KTVB

Boise State University's Center for Health Policy is heading a new study examining the challenges in getting and keeping family physicians in rural hospitals in the state. A grant from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is paying for the study. Based on population growth and an increase in elderly citizens, Idaho is expected to face a serious shortage of family physicians by 2020. Idaho has about 480 family physicians now, but will need about 720 by 2020. Ed Baker, director of the Center for Health Policy, says the study could help improve the health of people in Idaho by eventually getting them better access to a doctor. - Full Story