Physician Shortage to Quadruple within Decade

According to an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the physician shortage we are currently experiencing will be nothing compared to what the future holds.

From the AAMC report, U.S. specialties will reach a shortage of 91,500 doctors by 2020. The AAMC predicts Americans will need an estimated 45,000 primary care physicians and 46,000 surgeons and medical specialists, a higher estimate than other studies have previously reported.

The most affected areas will likely to be rural regions and inner-city areas, according to the report. Factors contributing to the increase in the physician shortage include physicians retiring, the aging population of the American public, and healthcare reform. According to the Census Bureau, the senior population is estimated to grow by 37%.

There are currently 709,700 physicians (in all specialties) for a demand of 723,400 physicians, with an existing shortage of 13,700. By comparison, in 2020, there will be 759,800 physicians (in all specialties) for a demand of 851,300 physicians, essentially a shortage of 91,500 too few doctors.

Read the full article in The New England Journal of Medicine, or click here:
http://www.nejmjobs.org/rpt/physician-shortage-to-quadruple-within-decade.aspx