How often does the average American go to the doctor?

Asked by: Shawn Bogisich I  |  Last update: January 4, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (15 votes)

How Often Americans See a Doctor. The average American visits his or her doctor four times per year.

How often is it normal to go to the doctor?

In general for both men and women, if you are in basically good health and under the age of 50, it is recommended you see your PCP every three years for a checkup. After age 50, see your doctor once a year. After, see your provider once a year.

How often does the average person go to a doctor?

The average patient visits their GP surgery 3.3 times per year but there are a group of patients who make a disproportionately higher number of visits to GP clinics – often coined 'frequent attenders'. Frequent attendees visit their GP five times more than other patients.

How many people don't go to the doctor regularly?

People often avoid seeking medical care even when they suspect it may be necessary;14 nearly one-third of respondents in a recent national United States (U.S.) survey reported avoiding the doctor. Even individuals with major health problems4,8,9 or who are experiencing symptoms1012 avoid seeking medical care.

What percent of Americans don't have a doctor?

A third of Americans don't have a primary care provider, report finds.

Why more Americans are putting off going to the doctor

21 related questions found

How often do most Americans go to the doctor?

How Often Americans See a Doctor. The average American visits his or her doctor four times per year. On average, babies visit the doctor nine times per year and children between the ages of 5 and 15 visit the doctor two times per year.

Is it normal to not see a doctor for years?

Have you been avoiding the doctor for years? Why is that? Did you know that nearly a third of Americans don't have a primary care physician, and about 41% of Americans put off going to the doctor? This is a common issue, but now you've decided it's time to change that.

Do doctors live longer than non doctors?

Doctors live longer than the general population, but there is variation among medical specialties. Perhaps it is not surprising to learn that, on average, doctors live longer than the general population.

Why don't Americans go to the doctor?

Perceived Low Quality of Care. Even if they don't doubt physicians' intentions, some people avoid care because they worry about the quality of services they'll receive. They may fear being misdiagnosed, or that their doctor won't be able to identify the cause of their symptoms.

Why is it so hard to get a doctor's appointment now?

The U.S. is facing a physician shortage, in primary care and many specialties, which can lead to longer wait times for patients and reduced access to care. Learn more about this current physician shortage and how the AMA is helping to address it.

What age group visits the doctor the most?

They found that adolescents aged 13 to 18 years averaged 1.9 visits per year, lower than any other age-group except those aged 19 to 24 years (eg, those aged 25 to 64 years averaged 3.1, and those aged 65 years and older averaged 6.1).

How long do most doctors live?

The average life expectancy of a doctor is about 80 years. It's a balance. They are human beings and aren't exempt from sickness. This would include the national average of doctors also.

How long can you go without seeing a doctor?

In general, you should see a primary care doctor at least once a year for a general checkup and blood work. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, require more frequent checkups.

What is it called when you always go to the doctor?

Hypochondria is a type of anxiety disorder. People with hypochondria frequently worry about their health, even when nothing is seriously wrong. Signs can include going to the doctor frequently without feeling reassured, talking a lot about health and spending excessive time online researching symptoms.

What percentage of Americans go to the doctor?

Overall, only 48 percent of insured respondents have gone to a physician for a physical exam within the past year.

Which doctor is most needed in America?

WHAT ARE THE MOST IN-DEMAND DOCTORS?
  • Second, follow your passion. While it's wise to consider the specialties of the most-needed doctors, ultimately, choosing a specialty is a matter of the heart. ...
  • Psychiatrists. ...
  • Dermatologists. ...
  • Neurologists. ...
  • Cardiologists. ...
  • Family Medicine. ...
  • Pathologists. ...
  • Ophthalmologist Surgeons.

How to spot a bad doctor?

7 Signs of a Bad Doctor
  1. 1 – Poor Communication Skills. ...
  2. 2 – Lack of Empathy. ...
  3. 3 – Rushed Appointments. ...
  4. 4 – Inadequate Knowledge or Outdated Practices. ...
  5. 5 – Disregard for Patient Privacy and Confidentiality. ...
  6. 6 – Frequent Misdiagnosis or Treatment Failures. ...
  7. 7 – Unprofessional Behavior.

What is the number one cause of death for doctors?

The main causes of death were HIV/AIDS, cancer, road traffic accidents and cardiovascular diseases. It is important to note that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of mortality among the doctors. Cancer remains high on the list. Taking the incidence of cancer in this country, this may not be unusual.

Why do so many doctors quit?

Low pay, high workloads, and a labor shortage all contribute to a burnout epidemic among American physicians, which could spell disaster for healthcare (Doximity, 2024).

What doctor takes the least years to become?

Easiest Doctor to Become: Family Doctor

The simple answer is that it takes the least amount of time. After your four years at medical school, (or a 3-year medical school) you can do a three-year family medicine residency, pass your board exams, and that's it, you're a doctor!

How often do you really need to go to the doctor?

In general, it's recommended that a healthy person under the age of 50 visit their doctor every 3 years. People over 50 should visit every year. This is for preventative care and general health screenings that are typically required at these ages.

Why is it so hard to see a doctor in America?

“It's a perfect storm of factors leading to people asking, 'Can I trust this system to take care of me? ' ” One of the biggest reasons for the frustrating waits is a shortage of doctors across the country—making it tougher to get an appointment and increasing the amount of time wasted in office waiting rooms.

What age do you stop going to the doctor?

Generally, it is recommended that children begin seeing an Adult PCP at age 18 or when they leave home for college. However, some Pediatricians will continue providing care into adulthood until age 21 or longer if particular medical concerns need to be monitored. 2.