Migrating Physicians: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional and Correlational Quantitative Study of U.S. Physician Migration and Maintenance of Training Among Different Age Groups

Date of Award

Fall 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)

Committee Chair

Tracy Greene

Committee Member

Courtney Mckim

Committee Member

Stephen Bressett

Abstract

Advanced technology developments now dynamically support healthcare service mobility, such as telemedicine. Medical Boards nationwide are joining the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, permitting increased domestic migration. Increasing domestic migration from an organizational leadership perspective presents a unique opportunity to further evaluate existing standard of care milestones, and to potentially bring about proactive changes based on measurable findings valuable to governing regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and the study population. The study utilized the Path-Goal leadership styles, which included directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership styles. This quantitative study examined the relationships between migrating physician patterns and the reported adverse action among defined age groups to determine the impact on quality-care standards. The study examined the existing continuing medical education (CME) needs within the United States (U.S.). The quantitative study was the first to scale the entire medical practitioner population within the U.S. unrelated to employment analysis. The research findings assessed potential benefits and risks associated with existing relationships among migrating and non-migrating licensed physicians using reported adverse actions throughout their professional careers. Findings from the study revealed medical practitioners practicing migration sought revisions more frequently for reported adverse actions. The highest migration pattern was shown in age group 20-29. The most reported adverse actions were shown in age group 40-49. Recommendations included medical practitioner engagement with a centralized accredited training portal offering self-assessment intervals, medical board uniformed CME requirements and structured auditing processes, educational entities offering more political and economic related accredited training and enhanced public feedback outreach efforts.

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