Shrinking supply
• 1 in 3 practicing physicians in the U.S. is over the age of 55 and close to retirement
• 6 in 10 physicians say it is likely many colleagues will retire in the next one to three years
Growing demand
• By age 65, about two-thirds of senior citizens have at least one chronic disease
• 20 percent of Americans older than 65 see 14 or more physicians and average 40 physician visits each year
• More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day
• Some estimates project the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will extend health insurance coverage to 33 million citizens
Not enough growth
• The number of Medicare-sponsored residency slots has been capped since 1997
• Medical school graduates may exceed the number of residency positions by 2015
More Articles on the Physician Shortage:
3 Things Hospitals Can Do to Reduce Clinician Vacancies
10 States With the Most Physicians 60 or Older
Drs. Scott Gottlieb, Ezekiel Emanuel: Physician Shortage Unlikely