{
  "abstract": "In Iran, maldistribution of specialists across provinces is evident and represents a serious challenge, mirroring global trends. Globally, 43% of physicians in very high-HDI (Human Development Index) countries serve only 20% of the population, while in low-HDI countries, 1% of physicians serve 12% of the population. 1 In Bangladesh, 35% of doctors serve only 15% of the population concentrated in four major cities,2 and in Vietnam, 59% of doctors serve only 30% of the urban population.3 In Senegal, over 60% of physicians are concentrated in Dakar, which houses 23% of the population,4 and in South Africa, 12% of doctors serve 46% of the rural population.5 These examples demonstrate that unequal distribution of healthcare professionals is a widespread global issue. Increasing the number of medical students has been considered as a strategy to improve the distribution of physicians in Iran. This strategy was proposed in response to the exacerbating inequalities in access to qualified healthcare providers, especially in underserved and remote areas. In 2021, the Iranian parliament announced the addition of 22 000 more medical students to be admitted by medical universities in the upcoming 4 years, increasing the admission capacity by 20% annually.6 In other words, the admission capacity in this field will gradually increase from 8000 students in 2021 to 16 589 students by 2025 increasing it by 20% each year. The primary aim was to improve physician distribution by increasing their retention rate and achieving Universal Health Coverage in Iran. However, the previous experiences of Japan and Mexico have shown that increasing the overall enrolment of medical students has no impact on the density of physicians in underserved areas.7 In other words, the economic assumption that states the increase in the supply of physicians will decrease their income and lead to their movement to underserved areas has practically failed.8",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Azad Shokri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "R&D Unit, Deputy for Public Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Hamed Fattahi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Ali Ebrazeh"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Is increasing the number of medical students a suitable strategy to improve the distribution of physicians in Iran?",
  "uid": "109de061-646b-5027-adb1-985d0cc9bc55"
}