In its 2016 report, the Association of American Medical Colleges found our nation will face a shortage of between 61,700 physicians and 94,700 physicians by 2025.
Here are seven key findings:
1. In its 2015 report, the AAMC predicted the United States will have a shortage of between 46,100 physicians and 90,400 physicians by 2025.
2. By 2025, there will be a primary care shortage between 14,900 physicians and 35,600 physicians, a slight increase from the range the 2015 report predicted (12,500 physicians to 31,100 physicians.
3. There will be a projected shortfall of specialists between 37,400 and 60,300 by 2025.
4. By 2025, there will be a projected shortage between 25,200 surgeons and 33,200 surgeons.
5. More than 33 percent of active physicians will be 65 or older within the next 10 years. Physicians between the ages 64 and 75 currently account for 11 percent of the workforce.
6. From 2014 to 2025, the U.S. population is expected to grow 8.6 percent to 346 million. The population of 65-year-olds and older is expected to increase 41 percent in this time frame.
7. The 2016 report found Affordable Care Act coverage will increase physician demand by 10,000 physicians to 11,000 physicians by 2025. The 2015 report estimated the ACA will increase physician demand by 16,000 physicians to 17,000 physicians in this time frame.
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