With the U.S. physician shortage projected to surpass 137,000 by 2037, improving patient access cannot rely on pushing physicians to see more patients, according to a Feb. 26 McKinsey article.
In McKinsey’s 2025 Physician Survey, 83% of physicians said they have seen patients delay care, with access barriers ranking among the top reasons.
While reducing inefficiencies — such as optimizing scheduling templates and cutting no-shows — remains important, those steps alone are insufficient to meet rising demand.
McKinsey outlines three additional strategies that when implemented together and in sequence — alongside efforts to reduce waste — can improve patient satisfaction and retention.
1. Redesign care delivery models. Organizations should reassess how care teams are structured, including which clinicians provide care and at what level of acuity. Expanding team-based models, enabling staff to practice at the top of their license, and increasing technology support can free physician capacity for higher-complexity cases.
2. Integrate patient preferences into operations. Access improves when care delivery reflects both clinical needs and patient preferences. That includes segmenting patients based on medical complexity and engagement preferences, and embedding those insights into scheduling and outreach workflows.
3. Expand capacity strategically. Growth efforts should align with patient population needs. Capacity expansion may involve workforce adjustments — such as increasing advanced practice clinicians — or investing in virtual care and other alternative sites, depending on patient demand patterns.
McKinsey notes that sustained improvement requires frontline input, executive sponsorship and coordinated changes across clinical, digital and operational functions.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
