Washington Physician Shortage Facts
THE PROBLEM
Physician supply lags patient demand nationally and across Washington. 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.1,2,3
- Nearly 40% of American physicians will reach retirement age.
- The United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians.
- 32.7% of Washington’s physicians are within retirement range right now.
Washington is projected to be short 6,037 doctors.4
- Primary care alone is projected to be short 1,695 providers.
Overall, Washington ranks in the bottom half of states for general surgeons and OB/GYN availability.3
All 69 of Washington’s 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.
Washington’s physician-to-patient ratio is 2 percent worse than the national average.
10% worse
for critical care medicine
9% worse
for general surgery
13% worse
for internal medicine
12% worse
for psychiatry
26% worse
for plastic surgery
Pennsylvania Physician Shortage Facts