October 31, 2014
Study: Expansion of UW medical school in Spokane is state’s lowest-cost, highest-quality and most-immediate solution
The University of Washington’s plan to double the size of its medical school in Spokane is “clearly the most cost-effective option” to meet the physician workforce needs in Eastern Washington and throughout the state, according to an independent study by research firm Tripp Umbach.
The study also found that Eastern Washington currently cannot support two medical schools because of a lack of capacity in clinics and residency programs.
“As an established program, UW School of Medicine has greater capacity than [Washington State University] to grow in Spokane,” the report states, “and can quickly expand to meet the state’s physician workforce needs.”
“This study supports our expansion plans and validates the success of what we have been doing in Spokane since we began medical instruction in the city in 2008,” said UW President Michael K. Young. “We are offering the most cost-effective, most feasible, and most immediate answer to the challenge of producing more physicians for the underserved areas of our state. Our commitment to our students in Spokane and to the community is deep, and we intend to continue to serve the region and expand the UW School of Medicine in Spokane.”
In a cost-benefit analysis, the report cites the average cost of medical education per student in the UW program as about $70,000, under the national average range of $81,000 to $130,000, and considerably lower than the estimated $98,000 per student cost at a stand-alone WSU medical school.
The report comes on the heels of a 2010 study — also conducted by national economic development consultant Tripp Umbach and commissioned by Greater Spokane Inc. — which found that rapidly expanding the existing UW-led medical program would contribute to an estimated economic impact of $1.6 billion and 9,000 jobs over a 20-year period. The report released today concludes that continuing the long-planned expansion of the UW’s medical school in Spokane has the potential to generate that level of estimated economic impact. In contrast, higher startup and operating costs of a stand-alone WSU medical school would negate much of that option’s economic benefit.In a cost-benefit analysis, the report cites the average cost of medical education per student in the UW program as about $70,000, under the national average range of $81,000 to $130,000, and considerably lower than the estimated $98,000 per student cost at a stand-alone WSU medical school.
“This most recent study tracks very closely to their previous study for Greater Spokane Incorporated,” said Michael Senske, immediate past chair of GSI. “What this study makes clear is that it can happen quickly for the least amount of state investment — and with the best primary care medical school in the nation doing the work. That’s a win-win if I ever saw one.”
Tripp Umbach has conducted numerous studies for the UW and WSU, as well as many of the nation’s top medical schools and hospitals for over 25 years. The UW commissioned this most recent eight-week study of each university’s proposals and broader community and statewide needs. In addition, the firm interviewed business and medical leaders in Spokane to gather information on the community’s needs.
The UW has proposed an expansion of its Spokane medical school class doubling it from 40 to 80 students per year. The new report found there is a need for additional residency slots in order to support any expansion of medical education. The shortage of medical residency positions is a national issue, with data predicting the number of M.D. and D.O. graduates will outnumber the available residency slots in the U.S. by 2017.
“The number of medical schools in a state has no correlation to the number of doctors practicing in a state,” said Paul Umbach, who conducted the independent analysis. “What is important is the number of medical students and residency positions available in order to retain physicians. Look at a state like Florida. While it has invested in more medical schools, it has not invested in residencies. It still has a pronounced shortage of physicians. By expanding UW’s medical school in Spokane, the state can quickly, cost-effectively, and at the highest-levels of excellence, meet the physician workforce needs of the city, region, and state.”
The UW also has an established residency network throughout Washington. Current efforts by the UW to secure additional residencies hold the best promise for the long-term growth of the program.
See the full report here.
