What Does AI Think About The Physician Shortage?
We asked AI - specifically Google Bard - what it thought about the current physician shortage in the United States and what could be done about it. Here’s what it had to say verbatim:
The United States is facing a physician shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects that the country will need between 54,100 and 139,000 more physicians by 2033. This shortage is expected to be felt most acutely in primary care, where the AAMC projects a shortfall of between 17,800 and 48,000 physicians.
There are a number of factors contributing to the physician shortage, including:
An aging population. The baby boomer generation is retiring in large numbers, and this is putting a strain on the healthcare system.
A growing demand for healthcare services. The obesity epidemic, the aging population, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases are all driving up demand for healthcare services.
A shrinking pool of medical school applicants. The number of medical school applicants has been declining in recent years, due in part to the high cost of medical school and the long hours that physicians work.
The physician shortage is having a number of negative consequences, including:
Longer wait times for appointments. Patients are increasingly having to wait longer for appointments with their doctors.
Difficulty finding a primary care doctor. Many people, especially in rural areas, are having difficulty finding a primary care doctor.
Increased costs of healthcare. The physician shortage is contributing to the rising costs of healthcare.
There are a number of things that can be done to address the physician shortage, including:
Increase the number of medical school slots. The federal government could increase the number of medical school slots, which would help to increase the supply of physicians.
Make medical school more affordable. The federal government could make medical school more affordable, which would make it more attractive to potential medical students.
Reduce the work hours of physicians. The federal government could reduce the work hours of physicians, which would help to improve physician burnout and make it more attractive to potential medical students.
The physician shortage is a serious problem that is having a negative impact on the healthcare system. There are a number of things that can be done to address the shortage, and it is important that we take action to do so.