The pool of physicians is expected to be outstripped by demand within the coming years.
Here are six things to know about the projected physician shortage, according to AAMC's Physician Supply and Demand Through 2025: Key Findings report.
• Total demand for physicians is expected to grow by up to 17 percent.
• By 2025, physician demand will exceed supply by a range of 46,000 to 90,000 physicians.
• There is expected to be a shortage of 12,500 to 31,100 primary care physicians by 2025.
• There is projected to be a shortage of 5,100 to 12,300 medical specialists by 2025.
• There is expected to be a shortage of 23,100 to 31,600 surgical specialists by 2025.
• Other specialties, such as anesthesiology and emergency medicine, are expected to be short by 2,400 to 20,200 physicians.