Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. physician shortage isn’t evenly distributed: some areas or specialties are more affected than others.
- Future doctors need to understand the general landscape of the medical profession to better manage their careers and offer guidance and support to patients.
As a pre-med, you might still be figuring out which specialty fits you. That’s completely normal: most doctors don’t start seriously exploring specialties until their second or third year of medical school. However, it helps to begin surveying your options well before that.
One way to gain insight into specialties that could suit you? Understanding where physician shortages are most severe. Calculations about how drastic shortages will be vary, but the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports that the nation could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
However, this shortage won’t be the same everywhere—or in every specialty. Let’s break down the specialties where doctors are needed most, and why that matters for your future.
Primary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics)
Primary care physicians are the “first stop” for most patients, but there aren’t nearly enough of them. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reports that the nation needs nearly 16,000 primary care practitioners, and that 92 million Americans currently live in a primary care shortage area.
The primary care shortage is caused by many factors, which could include:
- More chronic disease and an aging population driving higher primary care demand
- Burnout and early retirement
- Medical students favoring higher-paying specialties
Primary care improves community health and prevents disease. It’s a specialty that offers the opportunity for students who value relationships and long-term patient care to make tremendous impact.
Psychiatry
The percentage of American adults who reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorder rose drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic—and has never quite returned to normal. The number of mental healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, isn’t matching demand. This need is especially acute in rural states.
For example, the American Medical Association’s healthcare workforce mapper shows that the population-to-provider ratio in Idaho is 11,323 people for every one psychiatrist in the state. In Massachusetts, meanwhile, the ratio is just 2,030 to one. Psychiatry offers the chance to address a national crisis and advocate for mental health — a huge area for service, innovation, and leadership.
Geriatrics
The fastest-growing age group? Seniors. In spite of this, geriatricians are incredibly scarce: there are not even 7,000 professionals in this specialty working in the U.S. today, according to the American Geriatrics Society.
The geriatrician gap can be attributed, in part, to the fact that geriatric care is highly complex while financial incentives tend to be lower. If you’re drawn to holistic care, ethical decision-making, or chronic disease management, this specialty offers the opportunity to forge meaningful patient relationships and help alleviate a huge unmet need.
Emergency Medicine (Especially Rural and Underserved Areas)
Emergency medicine is popular among students—in fact, the HRSA reports that the nation actually has 116% of the total emergency medical physicians it needs to meet demand. However, shortages persist outside large cities. According to the American Board of Physician Specialties, 92% of the nation’s emergency medical physicians practice in urban areas.
That leaves just 8% of ER doctors working in rural areas. Rural hospital closures concentrate caseloads at the facilities which remain, putting further stress on the physicians who continue to work in the region. However, if you’re passionate about supporting underserved areas, rural EM could be the right fit for you.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any wealthy country. The maternity health charity March of Dimes reports that more than 35% of U.S. counties lack a single OB-GYN care provider. This lack is especially acute in rural counties.
Changes to regulations around care, a high risk of malpractice suits, and a retiring workforce are all contributing to this shortage. If you value women’s health, advocacy, and supporting families, a career as an OB-GYN could be right for you.
Why These Shortages Matter for Your Future
You don’t need to choose a specialty now. However, learning where the greatest physician needs exist can help you build purpose into your path. Whether you pursue psychiatry, family medicine, surgery, or something else entirely, knowing these trends empowers you to grow as a thoughtful future clinician.
If you want a career where you solve real problems and improve access to care, these specialties are worth exploring.
Further Reading and Resources
- The Physician Shortage in the U.S.: A Growing Crisis – Tiber Health
- Physician Workforce Projections – Health Resources and Services Administration
- Health Workforce Mapper (Interactive) – American Medical Association
