why is it difficult to find a primary care physician

Like so many of the questions about our healthcare, we can follow the money to get to the bottom of the reason many of us may have trouble finding a primary care doctor.

Primary care doctors include family practitioners, internists, pediatricians and OB-GYNs.

The number of primary care doctors is dwindling in United States; there are approximately 14,000 too few primary care doctors for the number of people who need them. According to the American Medical Association, the gap will increase to 25,000-30,000 by 2025.

Fewer practitioners means more difficulty finding one to help you, or making an appointment with the one you already see. You can see that the smaller numbers of primary care doctors would have an impact on your ability to find one for your care.

There are two problems that contribute to the shortage: The low numbers of medical students who are choosing primary care as a specialty, and the increasing numbers of Baby Boomers who require more and more care as they age.