The Association for American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recently issued an update to their 2006 report on the growing physician shortage in the United States. The new report confirms that while the number of physicians is expected to increase modestly, demand will outstrip supply through 2025 with a projected shortage of 124,000 full time physicians. In response to its 2006 report, the AAMC already has recommended that U.S. medical schools increase enrollment by 30% and that medical residency positions should similarly be expanded to accommodate this growth.  The new report concludes, though, that even with a robust expansion of graduate medical education (GME) capacity, the projected shortage would only decrease by 43%.
      The AAMC Center for Workforce Studies has identified that the expected shortage is likely caused by the following factors: population growth, the aging population, and aging physician workforce, as well as the increased utilization of physician services. The report urges that future workforce initiatives should promote efforts to make better use of existing physicians and non-physician clinicians and other professionals to improve productivity. The AAMC recommended that these efforts should recognize and respond to physician lifestyle concerns, such as flexible scheduling. The AAMC also urges that changes to medical school capacity and the availability of GME positions should continue to be carefully considered.
      Given the length of time required to complete undergraduate study, medical school, and multiple years of residency and fellowships, the AAMC report emphasizes the critical need to address the physician shortage must begin as soon as possible. To download the full report, go to the publications section of www.aamc.org.