(April 17, 2026) – This week, the University of North Carolina Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and the Sheps Graduate Medical Education Technical Assistance Centers released a new resource offering guidance on addressing physician workforce challenges.
The Roadmap for Building and Implementing a Comprehensive State Graduate Medical Education Strategy provides step-by-step guidance for policymakers, workforce leaders and health care organizations seeking to expand the physician supply and meet community health care needs through a coordinated, statewide approach.
While the majority of GME funding flows from the federal government, states play a critical role not only as funders but also as workforce planners and conveners. Drawing on the Sheps Center's research and experience supporting states through technical assistance, this evidence-based framework organizes a GME growth strategy into five iterative stages:
1. Exploration
2. Strategy Development
3. Strategy Design
4. Technical Assistance
5. Optimization
Using this roadmap, states can identify high-demand specialties, such as primary care and general surgery; develop actionable plans that include technical assistance; and establish ongoing evaluation. The roadmap also summarizes the technical assistance and financing approaches states are currently using in their GME initiatives.
--Jaron Caffrey