Florida to Face a Shortage of 7,000 Physicians

Florida is in the midst of a healthcare provider shortage which is trending to reach a shortage of 7,000 physicians over the next ten years, according to a study commissioned by the Teaching Hospital Council of Florida and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. Florida is already experiencing the highest deficit of physicians across the United States, and Tim Dall, author of the study and managing director of IHS Global states, “over the foreseeable future, the ability of Florida to provide at least a national average level of care is about 7-10 percent below thenational average.” The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts there will be a shortage of more than 90,000 physicians by 2020, which will grow to more than 130,000 by 2025. As demand for the limited supply of physicians increases, hospitals, medical practices, and other healthcare organizations will find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain physicians—which can negatively impact quality and continuity of care for patients, work-life balance for existing staff, and patient flow. The physician shortage is a complex problem. At Barton Associates, we experience the staffing challenges healthcare organizations are facing in light of the physician shortage on a daily basis. We also know that each organization’s needs are unique. Our goal is to help clients with any immediate needs they may have and to serve as a true partner to help proactively manage any staffing challenges that may arise down the road because of the physician shortage. For more information on how Barton Associates can help your healthcare facility meet the physician shortage head on, please visit BartonAssociates.com.