Who will teach physiology? The growing shortage of physiology generalists
Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: Physiology is foundational to medicine, yet the workforce of broadly trained physiology generalists is shrinking. As funding priorities favor molecular specialization, fewer graduate programs provide rigorous systems-level training for future educators. The result is a growing national shortage of qualified instructors across colleges, universities, and medical schools-paralleling earlier contractions in anatomy education. This editorial calls for coordinated action to rebuild integrative physiology training pathways and restore balance between discovery and education, safeguarding health professions training and public trust.
Author: Erica A. Wehrwein
Institution: Michigan State University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7129104414