Bridging the Gap: The Reasons Behind the Physician Shortage and Innovative Solutions To Combat the Problem

The physician shortage in our country presents itself like a bad dream.

Patients in need of care combat excruciatingly long wait times, feeling lucky to have even gotten an appointment. Chaotic emergency rooms that are short on staff hope no mistakes will be made on an exhausting 24-hour shift. Patients ignore their health concerns claiming there are too many obstacles blocking their ability to seek help.

Overworked and overstressed, doctors scramble to see more patients in an attempt to fill the staffing gap. Burnout leads to reduced hours, closed practices, or leaving the profession altogether — adding to the epidemic of physician shortages.

When a healthcare nightmare becomes a reality, a solution that can answer how to address the physician shortage is critical. 

In this article, we’ll explain how utilizing locum tenens staff may be one potential solution to the primary care physician shortage in this country.

Table of Contents

• 5 Reasons for the Current Shortage of Physicians
• What Is One Potential Solution to the Primary Care Physician Shortage in This Country?
• 3 Ways Locum Tenens Staffing Can Help To Address the Physician Shortage
• Benefits to Facilities Utilizing Locum Tenens Staff To Fill Staffing Shortages vs. Finding Permanent Staff
• How Hiring NPs and PAs May Also Be a Solution To Addressing Physician Shortage
• Trusted Managed Services’ Comprehensive Healthcare MSP Relieves the Burden of Finding Contingent Staff

5 Reasons for the Current Shortage of Physicians

#1: Aging Population

The U.S. population is aging and living longer than ever.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, starting in 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65 and will make up 21 percent of the population — up from 15 percent today. For the first time in U.S. history, older adults are projected to outnumber children under 18 by 2034.

Even though our population is living longer, healthcare services are still in high demand.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 23% of people 65 and older have three or more chronic conditions that require healthcare, increasing the need for physicians and primary care access.

Unable to meet the demand and needs of the growing aging population, the shortage of physicians limits the supply and availability of qualified and skilled healthcare professionals, making facilities’ healthcare services to patients insufficient and inadequate.

If your facility is struggling with physician shortages and in need of contingent staff, a healthcare MSP (Managed Service Provider) can connect you with candidates that meet your specific requirements and expectations.

#2: Burnout Leading to Early Retirement

In addition to an aging patient population, a record number of physicians are nearing retirement age.

According to a report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), nearly half of practicing physicians in 2021 were already over 55, meaning more than two of every five active physicians will reach age 65 within the next ten years.

In addition to the mass amounts of physicians on the verge of retirement, physician burnout is mounting.

In fact, according to The Physicians Foundation’s 2023 Survey of America’s Physicians, six in ten physicians often have feelings of burnout.   

The excessive workload and emotional exhaustion that physicians endure may prompt them to leave their clinical practices and enter early retirement. 

One study highlights the consequences that a healthcare system may undergo from physician burnout. These include:

• Decreased productivity: Payroll records indicate a reduction in professional effort and work hours as well as physicians leaving the workforce early. 
• Less access to care for patients: Patients may experience longer wait times for appointments, increased costs, and decreased quality of patient care.
• Increased physician turnover and cost: A conservative estimate of the cost of burnout-related turnover ranges from about 5,000 to 10,000 US dollars per physician per year, not including any additional costs related to indirect factors related to the turnover rates.

Trusted Managed Services provides healthcare facilities with the tools they need to manage their workforce effectively and help reduce burnout by:

• Streamlining the hiring process
• Expanding the talent pool
• Lowering hiring costs
• Providing workforce management tools

#3: Declining National Health

The declining health of the nation urgently requires additional medical professionals.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six in ten adults have one or more chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Non-medical factors also influence health outcomes in our country. Some of the social determinants that contribute to the decline of national health include:

• Unemployment and job insecurity
• Food insecurity
• Working life conditions
• Housing, basic amenities, and the environment
• Education

The prevalence of chronic conditions and social determinants that affect our country contribute to the increasing need for physicians.

#4: Expanded Access to Health Insurance

Another factor contributing to the physician shortage is the expansion of access to health insurance coverage.

Over the past decade, reforms to improve access to affordable health coverage for everyone have been put in place. On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, designed to provide all Americans with better access to care and more affordable coverage.

Since more people can afford care, the number of patients looking to book appointments with medical professionals has significantly increased, and the time it takes to schedule an appointment continues to rise.

One key finding of a 2022 survey of physician appointment wait times indicates that it currently takes an average of 26 days to schedule a new patient physician appointment in 15 of the largest cities in the United States, a 24% increase when compared to 21 days in 2004.

#5: Time, Cost, and Availability of Medical Training

There are not enough trained medical professionals to meet the increased demand for physicians that are needed.

So, why not train more physicians?

Easier said than done.

Some of the roadblocks to training new physicians include:

• Time: After obtaining an undergraduate education and a bachelor’s degree, a medical school degree typically takes four years to complete. After medical school, a graduate will enter a paid residency period to obtain their license, typically lasting between three to seven years.
• Cost: The cost of a medical school education has risen by about 2.5% each year since 2014 with the current average totaling $235,827. Every year, the average expense of medical school rises by $1,158, not to mention the additional costs of applications, books, and medical instruments.
• Availability of medical training: Medical students face increased competition and low admissions odds. Data published by the AAMC shows that in 2023–2024 the total number of medical school applicants was 52,577. Of those applicants, only 22,981 (43%) were matriculated.

What Is One Potential Solution to the Primary Care Physician Shortage in This Country?

The substantial shortage of doctors threatening future healthcare demands may require innovative solutions such as the use of temporary physician staffing.

Physicians interested in working locum tenens jobs can turn to a locum tenens staffing agency to manage all the details of finding assignments. Trusted Managed Services can help fill your staffing vacancies with these locum tenens physicians so you can support your facility and maintain a high patient volume without jeopardizing the quality of care.

3 Ways Locum Tenens Staffing Can Help To Address the Physician Shortage

#1: Providing Flexible Staffing

Unexpected situations can occur at any time. There may be a sudden surge in patient volumes, unanticipated turnover, staff vacations, and medical leave that require more staffing on an as-needed basis.

Locum tenens hiring allows for flexible staffing of physicians to help support staffing fluctuations.

Locum tenens physicians don’t require a long-term commitment. Hospitals can hire locum tenens providers on a short-term basis — eliminating the need for employment contracts and other associated costs that a permanent provider would require, such as benefits, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Physicians can be full-time at one facility and locum tenens at another, allowing physicians to earn supplemental income, save for retirement, pay down debt, and have more disposable income.

If your facility is experiencing a temporary shortage of workers, Trusted Managed Services can provide flexible staffing solutions that align with your facility’s specific needs.

#2: Utilizing a Simplified Credentialing Process

Hiring qualified locum tenens physicians can take a large amount of time and financial resources.

The process of qualification validation and credentialing is meticulous, but it is crucial for preserving high standards of patient care and safety because it verifies that healthcare providers are properly trained and licensed.

When your facility is smack in the middle of a physician shortage, a locum tenens staffing firm can expedite the credentialing process.

Utilizing a locum tenens staffing firm to perform credentialing procedures will help remove any issues that could delay the onboarding of top-tier locum talent. Minimizing these delays is vital as they may result in lost revenue opportunities and hinder patient access to care. 

A good locum tenens staffing agency will:

• Implement strategies such as centralizing data collection to streamline credentialing and onboard new providers efficiently.
• Identify and prioritize credentialing requirements based on provider specialty and practice.
• Tailor credentialing workflows to specific facility needs, minimize unnecessary steps, and expedite approval timelines.

#3: Boosting Morale

Hiring temporary staff not only benefits the well-being of permanent staff by reducing workloads but may also significantly improve morale throughout your organization.

Locum tenens physicians help alleviate the stress of heavy workloads, offering permanent staff adequate time to rest, experience professional development, and enjoy their personal lives. 

Happy and motivated staff can provide better care and may result in improved patient outcomes and a positive reputation for the health facility.

Benefits to Facilities Utilizing Locum Tenens Staff To Fill Staffing Shortages vs. Finding Permanent Staff

• Cost: Hiring permanent staff can be expensive, but locum tenens can help reduce staffing costs including the expense of recruitment, training, and benefits. Locum tenens can also help reduce overhead costs, like paying overtime to its existing staff.
• Consistent quality of care: Locum tenens physicians are more than gap fillers — they’re top-quality talent who are specialized and skilled medical professionals. They help ease the high workload for physicians at facilities struggling with long wait times or providing sufficient services to patients. Hiring locum tenens physicians can improve physician-to-patient ratios, reducing the risk of poor patient outcomes and improving patient safety. 
• Decreased burnout and improved retention: One of the major benefits of using locum tenens is the flexibility and adaptability they can bring to staffing. Facilities can adjust their staffing levels based on their patient load, ensuring they are appropriately staffed at all times, helping to relieve pressure on permanent staff. By utilizing locum tenens, facilities can enhance work-life balance for their permanent physicians, offering time off when needed and helping to encourage retention and longevity in their careers.

How Hiring NPs and PAs May Also Be a Solution To Addressing Physician Shortage

Many facilities across the country are filling the staffing gap with well-trained Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). These medical professionals can:

• Prescribe medications
• Gather medical histories
• Conduct exams and assessments
• Diagnose injuries and common illnesses

NPs, CRNAs, and PAs enable healthcare facilities to do more with fewer physicians.

Fortunately, NPs are one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country, projected to grow 45% by 2032. In addition, the number of PAs is projected to grow by 28% between 2021 to 2031.

When there are not enough physicians to meet the ever-increasing demand, hiring NPs, CRNAs, and PAs offers one solution to address the physician shortage.

Trusted Managed Services’ Comprehensive Healthcare MSP Relieves the Burden of Finding Contingent Staff 

If you’re looking for an MSP that can help address the physician shortage at your healthcare facility, Trusted Managed Services offers a comprehensive solution to your facility’s staffing shortages and challenges.

When choosing Trusted Managed Services as your MSP provider, you’ll experience many benefits, such as:

• Access to a wide array of applicants that meet your specific requirements and expectations.
• A clear understanding of any gaps in your staffing, including how many hours you need to keep your facility properly staffed and how much it’s all going to cost.
• A personalized workforce consultant able to advise you on labor trends and create custom solutions that will work within your organization. You’ll have a designated representative assigned to each key program area, such as:
  • Recruitment
  • Credentialing
  • Contracting
  • Payroll and billing
  • Insurance
• There’s no cost to your facility — all fees for utilizing our MSP are charged to the vendors participating in the service.

Eliminate the administrative headache that keeps your internal HR team bogged down. Trusted Managed Services will analyze your workforce challenges, take action to find and employ a contingent labor force, and remove the burden from your team.

Book a free consultation today.