Physician Supply On The Rise

While growing demand for physicians is leading to shortages, the supply of many specialties is growing, though maybe not enough to relieve demand. The supply of physicians in medical specialties other than primary care is expected to grow by as much as 24% by the year 2025, according to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, a branch of the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The report forecasted 21% growth in medical subspecialties and 14% in surgical fields—although researchers noted that growth will vary, depending on the specific fields. Non-surgical fields projected to have the most growth are emergency medicine, physical medicine, rehabilitation and the pediatrics subspecialties. But large declines in supply are forecasted for critical care medicine and occupational medicine.