Analysis Shows Work Is Needed to Retain, Recruit Physicians
Pennsylvania has trouble hanging on to the physicians that it trains, according to an analysis by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).
Though the state ranks fourth in the number of residents and fellows per 100,000 people and fifth in the number of medical students, it ranks 33rd in the number of active physicians who completed their graduate medical education in the state.
The report, “Pennsylvania Physician Supply: Gaps and Concerns,” also found that almost 23 percent of physicians providing direct patient care are 60 or older, while less than 8 percent are younger than 35.
Hospitals and physician practices across the state report trouble recruiting new physicians, and shortages are worst in rural areas and specialties like obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, oncology, emergency medicine, nuclear medicine, and internal medicine.
To avoid worsening shortages, the report recommends that hospitals, physician organizations, health insurers, and the state government work together to make Pennsylvania an attractive place to practice medicine. Suggestions include:
- Requiring fair health insurance contracting
- Expanding physician loan forgiveness
- Making Pennsylvania a leader in the use of health information technology
- Raising physician payments by Medicaid and commercial insurers
- Phasing out the Mcare Fund
- Changing the state’s medical liability laws
- Developing programs to encourage physicians to stay in the state beyond their residency
Last Updated: 7/15/2009