Physician Employment – Employment PFA

The United States is in the midst of a physician shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows.

It is estimated that as many as one-third of today’s practicing physicians will retire by 2020. There are about 650,000 practicing physicians of all specialties and more than half of them are primary care physicians. .

American Academy of Family Physicians suggests there will be a shortage of 40,000 primary care doctors (family practice jobs, internal medicine jobs, pediatric jobs and OB/GYN) by 2020. Added to this shortage is the fact that the number of medical students choosing primary care as a profession has already dropped by 51.8% since 1997, and that currently only 2% of medical school graduates choose primary care as a career. The drop in interest in primary care is likely a response to the significantly higher salaries that sub specialists like Radiologists and Cardiologists are recieving.

Economy

The recent stock market collapse has had a major impact on older phyicians decisions. Many doctors are postponing retirement because of the economy’s impact on their retirement savings. But even a three- to five-year delay won’t address the impending loss of experienced physicians. This postponement has resulted in fewer jobs being offered and graduating residents not finding as many opportunities as before. Residents rather than committing themselves to less desireable jobs, are opting for locum tenen jobs for now.

So for the short term it appears there are fewer jobs avialable. Long term the aging population and increased numbers of the general population having health insurance should push demand for services and therefore cost higher.

Health Insurance Reform

Another uncertainty is the outcome of national health reform. Many physician practices are holding off making any decisions until they have a better idea of how the health reform will impact reimbursements.

We provide physicians with as many opportunities as possible and hospitals the most cost effective way to promote their opportunity.

Physician Employment