CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With many primary doctors reaching retirement age over the next 11 to 12 years, there's some cause for concern as a potential shortage of close to 50,000 primary care physicians is expected within that time frame. Those numbers could exacerbate the issues already there and put more pressure on the entire system, including rural areas where care is critical.
Patrick Martin, Dean of the College of STEM at Johnson C. Smith University, has the unique task of finding tomorrow's doctors today. He's working proactively to knock down barriers for students to enter the medical world.
"There's a huge cost associated with becoming a doctor. Some students are choosing not to go the primary route because, with a specialty, it pays you more. Therefore, you can pay down the debt that you accrue," explained Martin.
The Association of American Medical Colleges released a report in 2021 warning that the US could be short nearly 18,000 to 48,000 primary care doctors by 2034.
Jillian Renken works at Frontera Search Partners, a healthcare staffing agency, and sees the aging workforce and barriers to entry working to impact the forthcoming shortage.
"47% of physicians are 55 or older in the next 8 years. We're going to see 2 out of every 5 doctors reaching that retirement age," Renken told WCNC Charlotte.
She says the impacts will be vastly felt, including in rural areas too.
But, that's where local universities like JCSU are working to create solutions. In recent years and with the help of Atrium Health, they've partnered with Howard University, Wake Forest University, and Northeastern University to create a pipeline of invested young adults in primary care.
Contact Colin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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