The increasing cost of medical school has resulted in a heavy debt burden for many wishing to enter the medical profession. Without doubt, medical school debt is one factor contributing to the lack of diversity in medical school classes, an impediment to strengthening the primary care workforce, and a contributor to physician burnout and unwellness. In this piece, we explore deferment of interest on medical school loans as a possible form of relief from the growing debt burden. Currently, interest accumulation in residency and fellowship programs is out of proportion with trainee compensation. We posit that deferring interest accumulation until the completion of training provides the financial flexibility that many require to make the years-long commitment to medical education.
