Study: More residency slots needed to meet physician shortage

A recently published study estimates that primary care residency production must be increased by 21% to eliminate projected shortages in 2035.

 

The study projects an additional 44,430 primary care physicians (PCP) will be required based on population growth and insurance expansion. However, based on the current production rate of 8,049 PCPs a year and the number of retiring PCPs from 2015 to 2035, the researchers estimate a shortage of more than 33,000 PCPs. To eliminate this shortage, the study suggests adding nearly 2,200 first-year residency position.