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Do we have a shortage of doctors?
The U.S. is going to have a massive shortage of physicians in primary and specialty care by 2034, according to new estimates. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians, with the largest disparities being in the area of specialty doctors.
Are there enough doctors?
And the future looks bleak: A report last year from the Association of American Medical Colleges projected a shortage of up to 139,000 physicians — many in primary care — by 2033. It cited the aging American population, and the large number of doctors reaching retirement age, as two major factors.
How can doctors improve shortage?
In this Page
- Increase Interest in the Field.
- Establish Centers of Excellence.
- Integrate Environmental Medicine with Occupational Medicine Training and Research Programs.
- Increase Funding for Faculty Development.
- Support Residency and Fellowship Training.
Why are doctors needed?
Doctors save lives, but their importance goes far beyond that. Doctors also make a difference by helping patients minimize pain, recover from a disease faster or learn to live with a disabling injury. A patient’s ability to enjoy life, even if they can’t be cured, makes a huge difference to them and to their families.
How many doctors are in the world?
Table 1 shows that there are 9.2 million doctors and 18.1 million nurses worldwide. The United States, with 4\% of the world’s population, has 8\% of the doctors and 17\% of the nurses.
How should we address the shortage of physicians in the future?
“Addressing the physician shortage requires a multipronged solution that starts with educating and training enough physicians to meet America’s needs and includes improving access to care, diversifying the physician workforce, and ensuring our nation is prepared to address current and future public health crises,” …