Who is a generalist? An analysis of whether physicians trained as generalists practice as generalists

Accurate data on the number of generalist physicians are needed to monitor the physician workforce and to plan for future requirements in the changing health care system. This study assessed the relationship between two frequ ently used definitions of a generalist physician: completion of graduate me dical education (GME) in only a generalist discipline and physician's self- report of practicing as a generalist. Data for 4,808 physician graduates fr om six Pennsylvania medical schools from 1986 to 1991 were analyzed using i nformation from the GME tracking census of the Association of American Medi cal Colleges and the Physician Masterfile of the American Medical Associati on. Of 1,291 physicians trained in a generalist discipline, 1,205 (93%) rep orted practicing as generalists. Conversely, of the 3,517 not trained in a generalist discipline, 3,358 (95%) were not practicing as generalists. Thes e results indicate GME training is a valid predictor of self-reported pract ice and provide baseline data to monitor future changes.