Retirement Concerns on Aging ​

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!! Projected Physician Shortage by 2034 A new study from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) warns that the United States could be facing a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. This gap includes both primary care doctors and specialists and reflects ongoing challenges within the healthcare system, many of which were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic[1][4][5]. Breakdown of the Shortage The projected shortfall covers a broad range of specialties: - Primary care could see a shortage between 17,800 and 48,000 doctors. - Non-primary care specialties, such as surgery, neurology, and emergency medicine, may experience shortfalls from 21,000 to 77,100 physicians[1][5]. - The starting-year shortage estimate is already significant, with about 37,800 fewer physicians than needed, which is likely a conservative figure[3]. Causes and Concerns Key factors behind the physician shortage include an aging population, increased demand for healthcare services, and regional disparities in access to care[1][5]. These shortages threaten to put even more strain on a healthcare system still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Possible Solutions The AAMC emphasizes that expanding the number of medical school graduates alone is not enough. Increasing the number of graduate medical education (GME) slots—these are the residency training positions required to become a practicing doctor—is essential to meet the country's future health care needs[1][2][4]. Without additional investments in training, the physician shortfall could be even greater in the years ahead[2].