The U.S. could face a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and 48 percent of physician recruitment efforts were to replace a departing practitioner, according to the report.
The “Physician and Provider Recruitment Benchmarking Study” polled more than 175 Association for Advancing Physician and Recruitment member organizations, which conducted more than 23,000 recruitment-related searches in the past year. More than half of those searches were looking to fill physician positions.
Three key findings of the study were:
- Otorhinolaryngology, dermatology and urology specialists were the most difficult to recruit in 2021.
- At the end of 2021, 43 percent of positions remained unfilled.
- Family medicine, internal medicine, and hospital medicine physicians were the easiest positions to fill in 2021.
To combat the growing shortage, medical associations have recommended measures including reducing administrative work and student debt relief and more.
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.