Health Care Workforce Training Commission
Placing Doctors in Rural & Underserved Communities – Partnering With Health Care Workforce Training Commission
TSET is committed to improving the health of all Oklahomans and recognizes the critical need for physicians in rural and medically underserved communities. Oklahomans in these communities often delay seeking preventative care or medical treatment until it is too late. To improve access to medical services in rural Oklahoma, TSET partners with the Health Care Workforce Training Commission (HWTC) to support the Physician Loan Repayment Program (PLRP).
The burden of medical school debt can prevent physicians from practicing in rural or underserved areas. The PLRP combats the physician shortage in rural Oklahoma by addressing a physician’s medical school debt. Physicians graduating from medical school have an average of nearly $200,000 in debt according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Program participants often have loan amounts in the $300,000 range. TSET has committed to funding up to 42 slots annually and provides 40% of the total funding for each TSET sponsored physician, making it one of the largest contributors to this public/private collaborative partnership. Public and private partners providing matching funds include hospitals, cities, insurance providers, medical associations and banks.
“The Physician Loan Repayment Program brings public and private entities together to support rural and medically underserved parts of our state. The program adds to the state’s rural health infrastructure and supports Oklahomans in making healthier choices and managing their health.”
Julie Bisbee, TSET Executive Director
HEALTH IMPACT
Through the Physician Loan Repayment Program, 35 physicians are currently practicing in Oklahoma’s rural and underserved areas.
Since the program began in 2013, doctors have provided more than 650,000 patient visits.
Through Fiscal Year 2024, physicians participating in the loan repayment program have referred nearly 17,000 patients to free Coaches and services through the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program also funded by TSET.
“The Physician Loan Repayment Program brings public and private entities together to support rural and medically underserved parts of our state. The program adds to the state’s rural health infrastructure and supports Oklahomans in making healthier choices and managing their health.”
Janie Thompson, HWTC Executive Director
ECONOMIC IMPACT
According to the American Medical Association, a physician in Oklahoma supports 11.7 jobs on average and generates $1.9 million in annual economic activity in his or her community.
UNDERSTANDING THE NEED
PHYSICIAN COMMITMENTS
With participation in the PLRP, doctors must live in the community surrounding their placement for four years, develop a practice, see SoonerCare patients, accept Medicare billing, be trained on best practices to talk to a patient about quitting tobacco use and refer patients to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.
Participating physicians include:
- Family Medicine
- Geriatrics
- General Internal Medicine
- General Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
