A physician shortage will emerge in Minnesota in the next decade, according to a study conducted for the Minnesota Hospital Association. Current medical school graduation rates barely offset physician retirements, and an increase in demand due to the aging population will widen the gap, the study found. Lack of annual growth in Minnesota's graduate medical education system will create a deficit of nearly 850 primary care physicians by 2024, according to the research. Specifically, the report points to the stagnation of residency program slots, which remained flat since 1996. However, registered nurse (RN) programs are projected to graduate enough RNs to meet demand, according to the study. Study (.pdf)