Physician shortage looms

The Los Angeles Times reports that a shortage of physicians is likely to seriously impact the U.S. healthcare system within the next decade. The paper argues that the potential shortfall is putting pressure on medical schools to increase enrollment and on lawmakers in Washington to allow more foreign physicians to immigrate into the country. The American Medical Association argue that medical school enrollment has remained "virtually flat" over the past 25 years. The newspaper reports that the average wait time to see a cardiologist is now 19 days. The average wait for a gynecological exam is 23 days.

- read this L.A. Times article [1]

PLUS: Critics have disputed the argument that increasing the physician supply is the best way of dealing with the shortage, arguing that more efficient use of resources could eliminate the problem. Blog [2]