BOISE Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for its number of doctors per capita, and many of the states current doctors are expected to retire in the next fewyears.

Whats more, the state, which has no medical school, is lagging on training newones.

Knowing that it can take up to 11 years after high school to produce a physician, Idaho really has some challenges ahead as these physicians start retiring, Dr. Mary Barinaga warned state lawmakers on Tuesday. That includes four years of college, four years of medical school and three to seven years of residency

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BOISE Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for its number of doctors per capita, and many of the states current doctors are expected to retire in the next fewyears.

Whats more, the state, which has no medical school, is lagging on training newones.

Knowing that it can take up to 11 years after high school to produce a physician, Idaho really has some challenges ahead as these physicians start retiring, Dr. Mary Barinaga warned state lawmakers on Tuesday. That includes four years of college, four years of medical school and three to seven years of residency andfellowship.

A new family medical residency training program in Coeur dAlene is one step to try to help, joining other residency programs around the state. It would train six students nextyear.

Lawmakers also are debating adding more medical school seats through a cooperative program that sends Idaho medical students to the University of Washingtons medical school, though Gov. Butch Otters proposed budget for next year doesnt fund moreseats.

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Doctors say shortage looms in Idaho - Wed, 22 Jan 2014 PST