THE DOCTOR SHORTAGE IN AMERICA
"By 2025, the study estimates a shortfall of between 14,900 and 35,600 primary care physicians."
-Association of American Medical Colleges
The hidden problem
Everyone is talking about the Healthcare Crisis, but there is a more deep seeded and insidious threat. We are running out of Doctors. Every clinic, hospital, operating room, ER, pediatric unit, and practically every medical facility in America requires a Doctor. Doctors are the hinge pin of the entire American medical system.
Jobs that require the presence of a doctor
X-ray Technician
Paramedics and EMTs
Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Health Information Technicians
Phlebotomist
Social Workers
Much Much More...
Registered Nurses
Medical Assistants
LVN's
Medical Receptionists
Clinical Documentation Specialists.
PA's
Clinic Manager
Map Showing Areas of America Considered Medically Undeserved
Map Showing The Medically Under Served Areas in America that Assistant Physicians and Associate Physicians can help. Click to Zoom.
This graph shows the areas of Doctor shortage in the U.S. by County. The more green the higher the Doctor Deficit. Notice that the Rural areas of American (especially American South, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington State) are most affected.
The Residency Bottle Neck
The Residency Shortage. Graph and Information found on The NRMP (Match) SAP Crystal Report found here.
Why don't we increase medicals schools? Medical schools are cranking out doctors left and right. They are not the problem. There is an overflow of doctors going to medical school. So much so that they are flowing in to the Caribbean just to get the chance to travel back into the U.S.
Due to under-funding and financial restraints of programs there are not enough residency positions after Doctors have been through Medical School and are certified by the United States to start their PGY1. This problem has been Steadily getting worse since the 1980's.
Last year there were 28,849 positions offered in residencies with a whopping 54,110 Applicants meaning:
Under The Best Conditions 25,110 Residency Applicants Will Not Get Placed In A Residency Program Per Year.
Summery of 2017 match showing shortage of doctors. Click to Zoom.