Is the US in a doctor shortage?

Asked by: Mr. Adolfo Block IV  |  Last update: November 6, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)

The short answer is yes. Currently, more than 83 million people in the US live in areas in which access to a primary care physician is scarce. According to data from the AAMC, the United States could see an estimated shortage of up to 124,000 physicians across all specialties by 2034.

Does the United States have a doctor shortage?

According to AAMC data, the United States faces a projected physician shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, with demand for physicians outpacing supply. The nation's demographics—particularly population growth and aging—serve as the primary driver of increasing demand for physician services.

What is the current US doctor shortage?

Across the country, and the Central Coast, there is a worsening physician shortage. In California, only about half, or 49.09%, of the state's primary care needs were met in 2022, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Is there a high demand for doctors in the US?

Job Outlook

Overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 23,800 openings for physicians and surgeons are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Why is it so hard to see a doctor now?

As doctors retire and hospitals expand their capacity, wait times and demands for current providers have only increased. Not only is the supply of healthcare providers decreasing, but demand is increasing.

Examining Detrimental Effects Of U.S. Doctor Shortage

16 related questions found

How often does the average American 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.

Why it's taking longer than ever to get a doctors appointment?

Demographic trends behind the projected shortfall include a growing and aging population, an aging physician workforce, physician burnout, and a dwindling amount of new physicians entering the profession, AMN Healthcare said.

What states need doctors the most?

The top 10 states with the highest demand for healthcare professionals in 2022
  • Pennsylvania.
  • Illinois. ...
  • Wisconsin. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Indiana. ...
  • North Carolina. ...
  • Texas. ...
  • Arizona. Nearly three million of Arizona's seven million residents have limited access to primary care doctors, with the biggest shortage in rural areas. ...

Which state in USA pays highest to doctors?

Physicians in Wisconsin earned the highest pay over the last year on average, according to Medscape's 2023 "Physician Compensation Report" published April 14, which surveyed more than 10,000 physicians across 29 specialties.

Which US state pays doctors the most?

1. Kentucky. in Kentucky, doctors earn an average of $364,000 a year, same as in Tennessee.

What medical specialty has the most shortage?

Here's the projected shortage of physicians by specialty through 2025:
  • Cardiology: 7,080.
  • Ophthalmology: 6,180.
  • Orthopedic surgery: 5,050.
  • Urology: 3,630.
  • General surgery: 2,970.
  • Cardiothoracic surgery: 1,800.
  • Gastroenterology: 1,630.
  • Hematology/Oncology: 1,400.

Which country has the most shortage of doctors?

With a glaring domestic shortage of healthcare professionals, the United Kingdom has always strived to address it with foreign professionals. 15% of the healthcare workforce is comprised of professionals from other countries.

What is the largest physician shortage?

Neurology and psychiatry, as well as pulmonary and critical-care medicine, are headed for larger shortfalls than some other specialties, which is in part related to the type of complex, chronic conditions America's aging population must manage. However, primary care is the largest area of concern.

Why are there so few doctors in America?

3 | Limited Number of Residency Spots

Perhaps the largest factor limiting our ability to produce more physicians, however, is the limited number of residency positions offered each year. To practice medicine as a physician in the United States, you must complete 3 to 7 years of residency training after medical school.

What is the leading medical problem in the US?

AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can advise you on which conditions should concern you and how to take action to prevent them. The No. 1 health condition in the U.S. is heart disease. It is one of the leading causes of death, comprising more than a quarter of all deaths annually.

Is there a shortage of nurses vs doctors?

The United States may be short as many as 90,000 physicians by 2025, according to an Association of American Medical Colleges study released in March, and a 2014 report from the American Nurses Association warned that the country will need to produce 1.1 million new nurses by 2022 to fill jobs and replace retirees.

Which type of doctor gets paid the most?

Doximity found that the 20 specialties with the highest average annual compensation in 2022 tend to be surgical and procedural specialties treating adult patients. Neurosurgery comes out on top, followed by thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Are doctors in USA paid much more than nurses?

In fact, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors typically earn an average annual salary of about $200,000 or more. Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, earn approximately $111,840 each year.

Which doctor makes the most money?

Neurosurgeons are the highest paid physician specialists, earning an average of $788,313 annually, according to Doximity's "2023 Physician Compensation Report." The results were drawn from survey responses from 190,000 physicians over the last six years, including 31,000 in 2022.

Which state has the least doctors?

The state with the most active physicians per resident is Massachusetts, while Idaho is the state with the least.

What is the #1 best state to practice medicine?

The 10 Best States to Practice Medicine
  • Iowa. ...
  • North Dakota. ...
  • Wisconsin. ...
  • Utah. ...
  • Nebraska. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • New Hampshire. New Hampshire is one of the most popular New England states to live in if you value safety, comfort, and a welcoming family environment.

What percentage of Americans don't have a doctor?

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

Why are doctors so rushed?

The average primary care doctor manages between 1,500 and 2,300 patients, depending on the practice. So the access to your doctor is often one reason appointment slots must be shorter. The more patients a doctor is responsible for, the fewer time he or she can spend with each individual patient.

Why do doctors always keep you waiting?

There are many legitimate reasons doctors run late, including patients who themselves are late or who may divulge during a routine appointment that they're having chest pains. Moreover, 15-minute slots are utilized too frequently, often not providing the physician sufficient time.

Why does it take 3 months to see a doctor?

Long patient wait times are largely attributable to three variables: a shortage of physicians, the growing population, and an increase in access to health insurance.