Only 13 percent of Massachusetts’ practicing physicians are 35 or younger, according to the report. In addition, the Massachusetts Medical Society reports that half of the medical students who train in the state establish practices elsewhere.
Massachusetts is also experiencing deficiencies in the number of physicians who specialize in internal medicine and family medicine, according to the report.
The American Medical Association reported that the percentage of physicians who were 55 and older across the nation rose from 34 percent in 1992 to 44 percent in 2008.
According to the report, the Massachusetts Medical Society said that 29 percent of the state’s practicing physicians are considering a career change.
In addition, the cost of maintaining a practice in Massachusetts rose 3.5 percent, and liability costs rose 5.3 percent, according to the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Read the Herald’s report on the Massachusetts doctor shortage.
