Geriatrician Shortage Expected to Worsen

Geriatrician shortages have been predicted for years and are already upon us. According to the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (Workforce study) there are currently about 7100 board certified geriatric physicians in the United States. That number will need to be approximately 5 times that by 2030 to accommodate the ever enlarging older population.

Today the approximately 139 training programs in Geriatric Medicine attract only 287 physicians. What is even more alarming; this represents only about half the available fellowships slots available. Only 54% of the available positions were filled.

Not only will there be a geriatrician shortage for direct patient care, there won't even be enough geriatric physicians to provide the training. Various plans have been developed to try to, first study the problem, and establish a baseline from which to work.

Suggested solutions are mainly focused on financial aspects. Various loan forgiveness plans and sign on bonuses are being proposed. Foundations such as the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Douglas W. Reynolds Foundation are working to help expose would-be geriatricians to training experiences. Although it isn't clear if this exposure alone helps to attract physicians.

John A Hartford Foundation
Donald W Reynolds Foundation

Interestingly, the number of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) filling first year fellowships slots has steadily increased and now accounts for about two-thirds of the total. Don’t these physicians have educational debt too? Don’t they have families to support just like the US doctors? Is this just another example of a job US citizens don’t want to do? No one seems to talk much about that fact.

Is it a bad thing? Reading between the lines, I get the feeling, some feel it is. It’s as if an influx of IMGs means that Geriatric Medicine is less attractive and not the sub-specialty to choose. I disagree. I think it should serve as a wake up call.

I think it’s an example of a group of people, who see an opportunity that provides a stable future, offers a variety of practice models and a chance to make a good living. This country was built by foreigners willing to work and seize opportunities. It’s no different today. The shortage of interested US physicians is that opportunity.

Finally, don’t forget, some of the most successful businesses during the gold rush of the late 1800’s didn’t prospect for gold, they sold picks and shovels.

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