Salt Lake City-based University of Utah School of Medicine is expanding its incoming class of medical students by 40 spots this year in an effort to address the state's primary care physician shortage, which is the worst in the nation, according to The Spectrum.
AMA data shows there are 58 practicing physicians per 100,000 citizens in Utah, compared to the national average of 79 practicing physicians per 100,000 citizens, according to the report.
To address this issue, the medical school will now accept 122 new students, with 100 slots reserved for students who have ties to Utah. The program also relaxed in-state tuition policies for those who graduated from a Utah high school or college in an effort to retain physicians in the state after graduation.
Despite the increased number of spots, however, it is more difficult than ever to get into the school. Applications have doubled to 2,700 in the last two years, according to the report.
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