Family medicine shortage: Why future doctors look elsewhere
Dr. Genaro DeLeon, a resident physician at the Cleveland Clinic, couldn't decide between pursuing surgery or family medicine.
Dr. Genaro DeLeon, a resident physician at the Cleveland Clinic, struggled to choose between surgery and family medicine. Surgery offered higher pay and a more comfortable lifestyle, while family medicine meant managing hundreds of patient inquiries, referrals, and test results each day. DeLeon, influenced by his hometown family doctor, eventually chose family medicine.
However, the shortage of primary care physicians is a growing concern, with the U.S. projected to need about 40,400 more by 2036. This includes 39,000 family doctors, 20,600 internal medicine doctors, 9,300 pediatricians, and 1,500 geriatricians. Despite the demand, many medical students are not pursuing family medicine due to its lower pay, longer hours, and administrative burden.
Additionally, some students are discouraged by the perception that family medicine is beneath them. Medical schools and residency programs also face challenges in providing adequate training opportunities for future family doctors.
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