07-10-2006, 08:58 AM
Small and/or isolated communities on the mainland have used a number of strategies to attract doctors. Some small towns on the Great Plains offer scholarships and grants for medical students or residents on the condition that they practice in their community for a minimum number of years. These programs started back in the 70's and 80's and resulted in many of the docs staying on long after their obligations were completed. Others have taken over paying off student loans to various degrees in return for a commitment to serve a community.
One possible solution for Hawaii might be to use some of the state and local budget surplusses to fund scholarships, to enlarge the UH medical school (they do have one, don't they,) or to outright bribe doctors with cash incentives to practice here.
Kapohocat makes a very good point about the lack of support networks and amenities for families. The public schools have come up time and again when discussing reasons for lack of progress in a number of areas, and would be a good topic for a separate thread.
Aloha,
Jerry
One possible solution for Hawaii might be to use some of the state and local budget surplusses to fund scholarships, to enlarge the UH medical school (they do have one, don't they,) or to outright bribe doctors with cash incentives to practice here.
Kapohocat makes a very good point about the lack of support networks and amenities for families. The public schools have come up time and again when discussing reasons for lack of progress in a number of areas, and would be a good topic for a separate thread.
Aloha,
Jerry