JABSOM receives $1.1M grant to use AI to strengthen rural physician workforce
JABSOM receives $1.1M grant to use AI to strengthen rural physician workforce
Publish Date: 2026-01-19 05:05:00
Source Domain: www.staradvertiser.com
- The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the American Medical Association (AMA) to enhance medical education and tackle physician shortages in rural areas.
- The grant is part of the AMA’s Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education initiative.
- The JABSOM research project focuses on using artificial intelligence to understand what helps physicians practice successfully in rural Hawaii beyond just urban Honolulu.
- The study, led by Dr. Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda, aims to identify the long-term commitment factors for physicians practicing in rural settings.
- The project will leverage cultural and geographic Hawaiian specifics, gathering qualitative data through storytelling and feedback from physicians and communities.
- Artificial intelligence models will be trained to generate individualized learning plans for medical trainees, aligning with both professional objectives and community needs.
- A human element remains involved in all stages to complement mentorship, rather than replace it, offering tailored support for trainees interested in rural practice.
- Funds will also support trainee pathways specific to rural practice, especially on Hawaii’s neighbor islands.
- The initiative aims to address health care access gaps by boosting physician retention and potentially serving as a model for rural communities nationwide.
