Academic Medicine Open Forum

For the past several years, the AAMC’s annual analysis of physician workforce data has shown that our country faces a significant physician shortage. This year’s report—out this month—continues to predict that demand for physicians will outpace supply, leading to a projected total physician shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034. The need to address these shortages has become more apparent than ever, as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted deep disparities in health and access to health care services.  

We know many of you within this community rely on the AAMC’s workforce data for research purposes, to inform conversations with your leaders and policymakers, and for institutional planning and decision-making. Here’s an overview of physician workforce resources that may be helpful for these purposes:

• Report
• Key Findings document
• Myths and Facts: The Physician Shortage
• AAMCNews “Aging patients and doctors drive nation’s physician shortage”
• AAMCNews Viewpoint “We already needed more doctors. Then COVID-19 hit” by @Michael Dill, the director of workforce studies at the AAMC.
• Resource collection: Role of GME Funding in Addressing the Physician Shortage

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Stephanie Weiner
Director, Digital Strategy & Engagement
Association of American Medical Colleges
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