POLICY BRIEF
Michael Topmiller, PhD; Lars E. Peterson, MD, PhD; Andrew W. Bazemore, MD, MPH; Douglas B. Kamerow, MD, MPH
Corresponding Author: Michael Topmiller, PhD; The Robert Graham Center
Email: mtopmiller@aafp.org
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250083R1
Keywords: Family Physicians, Health Disparities, Health Policy, Health Workforce, Medical Education, Medically Underserved Area, National Health Service Corps, Physician Shortage Area, Primary Health Care, Rural Health
Dates: Submitted: 01-29-2025; Revised: 04-07-2025; Accepted: 05-12-2025
Family physicians in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) are more likely than non-NHSC physicians to practice in high-need areas, but retention declines over time. Despite higher retention than non-NHSC physicians, NHSC participants experienced greater declines from 3 to 6 years post-residency (MUA: 85.0% to 60.7%; HPSA: 76.0% to 66.2%; rural: 29.8% to 21.3%), underscoring the need for policies that sustain long-term commitment.