It is taking longer to see a doctor than ever before! Sean Endicott with the medical staffing firm Frontera Search explains, “The doctors shortages that we see now have begun to see longer wait times to get an appointment – but also longer wait times to actually be seen by the physician.” Endicott says new professional positions are helping some. “The addition of Advanced Providers – like Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants – have been significant relief to the demand. However – there’s a tremendous shortage of those professionals as well!”
The Supply of Doctors in the U.S. is in Critical Condition!
We're getting older and doctors are quitting younger --- which is also leading to waiting longer for an appointment. Endicott agrees. “The aging population is driving the need for the health care delivery system to be able to match it with professionals --- and it’s simply NOT ABLE TO provide enough providers to see all of the patients!” He says it's wait times are bad all over...”Specialists versus Primary Care physicians can have longer wait times in terms of getting an appointment --- but once you’re in the office, they’re all the same.”
New patients in 15 major U.S. cities are now waiting almost a month before they can get their first doctor’s appointment. He says to book as far in advance as possible and plan your appointment day accordingly.
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waiting in a doctor's office waiting roomPhoto: seb_ra / iStock / Getty Images