Addressing the physician shortage through early mentoring

To head off the looming U.S. physician shortage-especially in primary care-but also to better prepare the next generation of doctors, it’s best to start as early as possible. 

That’s according to pediatrician Ira Rubin, MD, one of Medical Economics’ 2018 ChangeMakers in Medicine, and his son, Zachary. Now a pediatric resident, Zachary was one of the first students at his father’s “Mini Medical School” for high school students in metropolitan Chicago. 

MORE FROM DR. RUBIN: Fostering the next generation of physicians

In this video, Zachary first draws on his own experience to demonstrate the importance of fostering interest in medicine at a young age. Ira discusses important messages today’s physicians can share with young people and why shadowing may not be the most effective education for future doctors.