Numerous challenges face medical schools and universities in 2026 as new restrictions limit student loans for incoming students and the physician shortage deepens.
Four physicians joined Becker’s to discuss the biggest challenges facing medical academia in the year ahead.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length:
Question: What do you see as the biggest obstacle facing medical schools/universities in 2026?
Kenneth Elconcin, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon (Los Angeles): I believe the biggest obstacle is the cost. Tuition is $60,000 to $80,000 plus living expenses, books, equipment, etc. Medical education is just too expensive. An individual graduating now frequently has a debt of around $250,000, and that does not include the cost incurred during a residency.
Jennifer Lynch, MD. Pediatrician (Hoffman Estates, Ill.): I am concerned when I hear the trend that medical school admissions give preference to applicants who have taken one or more gap years. The most recent statistic is that over 70% of medical students took a year or more between their undergraduate degree and medical school. I think a gap may be a good choice for some students, but adding another compulsory year or more to physician training for most physicians adds expense and delays these young people’s lives.
The concept of a gap has necessarily become part of the college orientation. Three years ago, when my son was orienting to university, at a health sciences group discussion, the advisor made a point to prepare both students and parents for setting the expectation that if med school is a consideration, plan on one or more gap years.
This is in addition to all the other admission requirements of med school—a rigorous STEM-heavy courseload, research experience, experience working in some aspect of medicine. We have a physician shortage. Let’s stop turning away so many bright, motivated, skilled young people.
Virginia Schmidt, MD. Family Medicine Physician (Chicago): I think the government’s ruling regarding race and ethnicity-based criteria is a big challenge because the schools have to change their admissions criteria. In addition, the need for increasing the number of primary care doctors in the country is a challenge. The continued preference among medical students is against primary care, and for good reason. I don’t recommend primary care either.
Joe Sherman, MD. Pediatrician and Physician Coach (Seattle): Change in government policies regarding loan limits. This will greatly impact the ability of students from lower-income families to attend medical school. This will, in turn, change the demographics of future physicians in our country.
