Why not let foreign doctors help?

THE LETTER of Raymond Brandwein in the edition of Nov. 8 relative to the lack of primary care physicians prompts me to write to you. I totally agree with Mr. Brandwein’s contention and there must be some kind of remedy to this issue.

Over the last several years, I have been a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language at Catholic Charities here in Albuquerque. I have had, as students, several physicians who came from Cuba as refugees. All of them have picked up English quite rapidly and have moved on to jobs, but in jobs much lower, in my opinion, than their intellectual capacity. Most of these Cuban doctors are specialists, such as in ophthalmology, orthopaedics, anesthesiology, etc. Almost all of them would be willing to forego their specialties and practice general medicine, if given the opportunity. They all know that they cannot do so until certain requirements are met.

Why is it that the state medical association, along with the University of New Mexico Medical School, cannot come up with some kind of program so that these doctors can be integrated into our system? California has some kind of arrangement, but the physician then must promise to practice primary care within the state for a fixed period of time, like six years.

My suggestion is not, of course, the sole remedy to the problem, but I believe it would certainly help.

Also, if a medical graduate would agree to practice primary care for a fixed period of time instead of going into some “high powered” speciality, should not then the interest on the student loans be substantially reduced?

Just a thought. ROBERT B. ENGSTROM Albuquerque