This lack of physicians in the U.S. is leading to longer waits for appointments, an increase in costs for patients, and a decrease in the quality of patient care.
The Association of American Medical Colleges says that there will be a physician shortage numbering between 40,800 and 104,900 by 2030. Primary care physicians make up the bulk of the shortfall, to the tune of 8,700 to 43,000 doctors.
The number for surgeons stands at between 19,800 to 29,000 doctors.
The Cause and Effect
The physician shortage is caused by a myriad of factors, from aging populations to physician burnout.
The aging population, increasing complexity in health care technology, and the rise in chronic illnesses have all played a role in contributing to the underlying problem.
Medical schools are increasing enrollment, but residency programs have not kept pace, blocking physicians before they can get into the workforce. This is due to the Medicare-funding cap imposed by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which affected the advancement of residency training positions.
The Impact on Patients
The physician shortage has had a devastating impact on patients seeking primary and specialty care.
The lack of a primary care physician means they do not have a ‘home base’ to turn to when they need healthcare. Ideally, a patient’s first point of contact for non-urgent health concerns should be their primary care physician. The ‘family doctor’ will also act as the gateway for the referral to medical specialists whenever necessary.
Without a physician who can clearly and quickly understand the patient’s medical history and plan for future needs, patients end up bouncing from specialist to specialist, clogging emergency rooms, or ignoring health issues because they do not have a primary care physician. As a result, poor health outcomes arise.
Lower-quality patient care is a further consequence of physician shortages.
Patients are facing longer wait times for appointments, increased costs due to filling out numerous forms and seeking treatment at multiple clinics, and lower quality of care as doctors become overworked. Wait times exacerbate medical problems and routine maintenance falls with short appointments or challenges even getting an appointment.
Many potential patients may not even be able to access basic health care because of physician shortages in rural and underserved areas.
The Impact on Physicians
The shortage also impacts physicians. Those who are in the health care system have to work even harder to make up for the disparity between supply and demand.
Doctors are seeing more patients, leading to increased workloads and stress levels. Physician burnout is increasingly becoming an issue, as doctors struggle to balance work with their personal lives, often causing them to leave their profession. Physician salaries have also been negatively impacted due to decreased reimbursement rates and changes in health care policies.
Overworked and overstressed doctors ultimately reduce hours, close practices, or leave the profession, adding to physician shortages.
Doctor Shortages During the Covid 19 Pandemic
Doctors and medical professionals played a vital role during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Physicians provided the best possible care for those directly affected by the virus while conducting research to gain a better understanding of its nature and implementing preventative measures to contain its spread. During times of great uncertainty and fear, physicians worked tirelessly to protect their communities.
The pandemic exposed an urgent need for more doctors. With physician shortages already present in the U.S., this crisis further highlighted the strain that exists in the health care system. With long hours caring for patients with COVID-19 and limited resources to work with, many health care providers worked under immense pressure, leading to staff burnout and increased exhaustion.
The lack of access to quality care puts communities at higher risk during health crises such as this, underscoring the need for adequate health care staffing and support.
Recruitment During a Physician Shortage
Physician recruitment, which can already be a challenge, becomes even more crucial in the face of a shortage.
The key is to focus on how your practice stands out from the competition.
Utilize targeted marketing campaigns and aggressive outreach strategies to attract top talent. Additionally, create relationships with local medical schools and hospitals to gain access to highly qualified physician candidates who may not be actively searching for job opportunities. Finally, offer incentives that are unique to the organization such as sign-on bonuses, time off and flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement, and other benefits that may appeal to prospective physicians.
How to Encourage Physician Candidates to Choose Your Practice
To encourage physician candidates to choose your practice over another, it is important to emphasize the unique qualities that make your practice an attractive option.
Talk to prospective candidates about the benefits of working in your organization such as flexible schedules, a great team atmosphere, modern technology and infrastructure, and specialized training programs. Be sure to include a benefits package with competitive physician salaries, signing bonuses, paid time off, and other perks that may appeal to potential physicians.
When looking for someone to fill a position, clearly defining the role is paramount for success. Identifying your ideal candidate, rather than trying to place a physician into your practice to fill the spot, may take longer but will be more fruitful in the future.
Even amid a physician shortage, you need candidates with the right experience and interests who will fit in with your healthcare organization’s culture and mission.
How to Manage Physician Retention
Presenting an appealing job requires confidence in your practice and local community.
Careful recruitment involves creating a comprehensive overview of what physicians can expect from you and your organization, particularly those qualities which they will not be able to find elsewhere.
A physician who fully understands their new role is less likely to abandon it in the future.
From community visits to showcasing a favorite hobby and involving a physician’s entire family in the recruitment process: the job offer has to capture the full experience. When you show a potential hire all that a job entails and offer as much assistance and information as possible along the way, there are no surprises.
Creating an environment where physicians feel supported both professionally and personally through onboarding is as important as the original recruitment plan.
A benefits package with competitive wages and adequate resources can also be an attractive element of an employment offer for a recruit.
Managing physician retention amidst a shortage is essential to ensure continuity of care and maintain your patient base.
Recruit with Adaptive Medical Partners
The physician shortage has been a serious concern for many healthcare facilities for years, now that the pandemic has exacerbated the shortage, this provider candidate shortfall is being felt everywhere.
With help from Adaptive, you can continue to provide high-quality care to your patients, knowing your staffing needs are being managed by an experienced team of recruiters. Careful and efficient physician recruitment will ensure the solid candidates are placed in your practice and community.
Adaptive Medical Partners can help you place quality physicians for your practice in spite of the shortage. We’d love an opportunity to discuss how.
