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| Focusing on Physician Shortages within the United States
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Nathaniel J. Cooper and Dr. Bruce Lazar, MBA, DM
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Abstract:
Physician shortages in the U.S. healthcare system are a significant concern, with predictions indicating that the growing population will require more licensed physicians than are currently available, resulting in a further shortage of physicians. The systematic literature explored successful strategies that U.S. healthcare leaders use to address physician shortages and enhance overall health outcomes. A literature search employing Public Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Psychological Information, and Elton B. Stephens Company Information Services occurred, following the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analysis recommendations. Data from the thirty-seven relevant articles were thematically analyzed using a screening process of constantly comparing notes from two reviewers, using a final consensus, and categorizing statements related to the research question. Four themes were from the literature during the data analysis process, which included physician shortage (95 percent), physician burnout (24 percent), strategy(ies) (54 percent), and health outcomes (16 percent). The findings indicated that no exclusive strategies exist that all healthcare leaders should follow. Adding elements such as increasing interest in medicine, establishing physician-centric centers of influence, bolstering incentives, and mandated federal legislation to strengthen faculty development and recruitment across the nation will assist in shoring up future physician recruitment rates. The implication of these findings allows healthcare leaders to comprehend further the urgency of addressing physician shortages and the opportunity to successfully collaborate in implementing innovative strategies to tackle physician shortages in the healthcare system.
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