Here are five key points:
1. The Association of American Medical Colleges expects the nation to face a shortage of between 46,100 physicians and 90,400 physicians by 2025, with primary care having a shortage between 12,500 primary care physicians and 31,000 PCPs by this time.
2. Compared to some other nations, the United States currently has more physicians per individual, with the nation currently having 2.56 physicians per 1,000 people. This figure is more than Canada (2.46), Poland (2.24), South Korea and Mexico (both 2.17).
3. However, the United States trails behind other countries including Austria (4.99), Norway (4.31), Sweden (4.12), Germany and Switzerland (both 4.04).
4. Many medical students opt to specialize to make more money, with a 2016 Medscape survey finding orthopedic surgeons under 40 make an average salary of $329,000. Medical students are also going into specialty care due to large amounts of debt, with the average debt for a medical school last year totaling more than $180,000.
5. The New York Times reports our healthcare system is inefficient, and may not be well prepared to deal with the shortage. NYT states, “We rely too heavily on physicians and not enough on mid-level practitioners, like physician assistants and nurse practitioners, especially because evidence supports they are just as effective in primary care settings.”
More healthcare news:
16 benchmarks for ASC balance sheets — 2016
Providers oppose Advocate Sherman Hospital’s proposed $12.7M ASC — 6 takeaways
3 recent ASC acquisitions — November 4, 2016
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.