American Board of Internal Medicine

Doctors born abroad play major role in care for millions of patients in underserved U.S. communities

A recent study found that nearly half of the US internal medicine workforce consists of doctors born outside the United States, with significant implications for patient care in underserved communities. These foreign-born physicians provide essential care to patients from diverse backgrounds, including Black and Latino populations, and...

SourceAmerican Board of Internal Medicine·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2026

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 11:00 A.M. ET, MONDAY, JULY 13: Patients of physicians who score higher on ABIM quarterly assessments less likely to get low-value tests and treatments

Patients of top-scoring physicians are significantly less likely to receive low-value healthcare services, which cumulatively cost the US healthcare system $100 billion annually. The study found that increased physician knowledge is associated with lower use of tests and interventions providing little benefit to patients.

SourceAmerican Board of Internal Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2026