The Federation of State Medical Boards released data from its 2016 biennial census, showing the number of active physicians is on the rise.
Here are 11 facts to know from the census:
1. The number of licensed and active allopathic and osteopathic physicians was 953,695 in 2016. That number increased 12 percent from the 2010 census.
2. Doctorates (MD)Medical doctors are the far more popular option among physicians. In 2016, there were 870,312 physicians practicing with an MD doctorate and 81,115 practicing with a degree of osteopathic medicine.
3. From 2010 to 2016, the U.S. physician-to-population ratio increased from 277 physicians per 100,000 to 295 physicians per 100,000.
4. Female physicians are also increasing throughout the workforce. Approximately one-third of all licensed physicians are females.
5. Osteopathic physicians and Caribbean medical graduates had the largest increases from 2010 to 2016.
6. There were 724,640 U.S. graduates practicing in the U.S. in 2016, far outpacing international graduates at 216,182.
7. Physicians were between the following ages:
- Less than 30: 18,023 physicians
- 30 to 39 years: 208,799 physicians
- 40 to 49 years: 227,953 physicians
- 50 to 59 years: 214,422 physicians
- 60 to 69 years: 183,870 physicians
- 70+ years: 94,969 physicians
8. The number of active physicians has increased every census since 2010.
9. These five medical schools have the largest number of graduates actively licensed in the U.S.:
- Indianapolis-based Indiana University School of Medicine, 11,393
- Minneapolis-based University of Minnesota Medical School, 10,150
- Detroit-based Wayne State University, 9,341
- Columbus-based The Ohio State University, 8,999
- New York City-based SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 8,988
10. These five osteopathic medicine schools have the largest number of graduates actively licensed in the U.S.:
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 7,452
- Des Moines (Iowa) University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, 6,548
- Kansas City (Mo.) University of Medicine and Biosciences, 6,324
- Old Westbury-based New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, 5,317
- Kirksville (Mo.) College of Osteopathic Medicine, 5,188
11. These five regions have the highest percentage of actively licensed physicians:
- South Atlantic: 20 percent
- Pacific: 16 percent
- East North Central: 15 percent
- Middle Atlantic: 14 percent
- West South Central: 9 percent