Minnesota Physician Shortage Facts
THE PROBLEM
Physician supply lags patient demand nationally and across Minnesota. As supply falls, patients wait longer to see a doctor, and doctors burn out.
By 2030
The U.S. is projected to have 120,000 too few doctors nationally.1,2,4
- Nearly 40% of American physicians will reach retirement age.
- The United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians.
- 29.9% of Minnesota’s physicians are within retirement range right now.
Minnesota is projected to be short 2,260 doctors.2,3
- Primary care alone is projected to be short 1,187 providers.
Overall, Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of states for general surgeons and obstetrician availability.4
69 of Minnesota’s 87 counties are health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).5,6
- Low-income citizens are disproportionately affected by these shortages.
- HPSA designations indicate areas where there are 3,500 or more patients for every one provider.
Ranked against other states,
Minnesota’s doctor-to-patient ratio is:
16% worse
for infectious disease
16% worse
for internal medicine
17% worse
for pediatrics
29% worse
for plastic surgery
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