Will generalist physician supply meet demands of an increasing and aging population?

Health Aff (Millwood). 2008 May-Jun;27(3):w232-41. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.3.w232. Epub 2008 Apr 29.

Abstract

We predict that population growth and aging will increase family physicians' and general internists' workloads by 29 percent between 2005 and 2025. We expect a 13 percent increased workload for care of children by pediatricians and family physicians. However, the supply of generalists for adult care, adjusted for age and sex, will increase 7 percent, or only 2 percent if the number of graduates continues to decline through 2008. We expect deficits of 35,000-44,000 adult care generalists, although the supply for care of children should be adequate. These forces threaten the nation's foundation of primary care for adults.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Forecasting
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / trends*
  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine / trends
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Pediatrics / trends
  • Physicians, Family / supply & distribution*
  • Physicians, Family / trends
  • Population Growth
  • United States
  • Workforce
  • Workload