KINGSTON, R.I.— April 2, 2026 — The University of Rhode Island, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health, has launched a statewide physician survey to better understand the current and future needs of Rhode Island’s health care workforce. The survey will be distributed by the Rhode Island Department of Health to all licensed physicians in the state using its official physician registry. 

The survey is part of a broader effort to explore the development of Rhode Island’s first public  medical school. The University is currently studying how a public medical school could help address physician shortages, expand access to care, and strengthen the state’s health care workforce pipeline. This work builds on ongoing statewide conversations, including a recent feasibility study and the Rhode Island Senate special commission examining the future of medical education in the state.

Rhode Island faces growing health care challenges, including physician shortages, provider burnout, and increasing demand for health care services, particularly in primary care and certain medical specialties. URI is conducting the survey to gather direct input from physicians about their experiences practicing in Rhode Island and the factors that influence recruitment, retention, and long-term practice in the state. 

The survey will collect insights into workforce trends, practice environments, access to graduate medical education opportunities, and policy incentives that could support physician retention.

Data collected from physicians will help URI and state leaders better understand:

• Current physician workforce supply and specialty needs
• Factors that influence physicians’ decisions to practice and remain in Rhode Island
• Workforce challenges facing hospitals, clinics, and community health providers
• Opportunities to expand medical education and training capacity within the state
• Policies or incentives that could help attract and retain physicians

Physicians across all specialties and practice settings will receive a direct invitation to participate in the survey from the Rhode Island Department of Health. Responses will remain confidential and will be used only for research and planning purposes.

Findings from the survey will help inform URI’s ongoing analysis and planning efforts related to medical education and health care workforce development in Rhode Island.