where have all the doctors gone?

Navigating Healthcare in a Time of Shortages

Finding a doctor today can feel impossible. The days of easily scheduling an appointment with a trusted physician are disappearing, and in their place are weeks-long wait times, difficulty accessing specialists, and a growing number of healthcare professionals leaving the field altogether.

According to AARP, for older adults with acute illnesses—”22% of acutely ill patients over 65 had to wait six days or more for a medical appointment” and for mostly healthy people, the problem is worse, “the average wait for new patients to see a physician is 26 days.” (“Where Have all the Doctors Gone?” AARP Bulletin, Jan/Feb 2025 - paywall link).

This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis in the making. The physician shortage is making it harder for patients to receive timely, quality care. It’s causing delays in diagnoses, increasing the risk of medical complications, and leaving patients frustrated, overwhelmed, and desperate for solutions.

So, what’s behind this growing shortage? And more importantly, what can you do to take control of your healthcare in a system that’s struggling to keep up?

Why Are There Fewer Doctors?

1. Physician Burnout and Early Retirement

One of the biggest contributors to the doctor shortage is burnout. More physicians than ever before are choosing to retire early or leave medicine altogether.

A 2023 survey from the American Medical Association (AMA) found that over 60% of doctors reported symptoms of burnout, citing long hours, excessive paperwork, and a lack of work-life balance. Many doctors say they spend more time dealing with insurance claims, administrative tasks, and electronic health records (EHRs) than they do with patients.

Dr. Michael Hotchkiss, a physician who recently closed his practice after 45 years, summed it up:

“I absolutely love what I do, but it has become unsustainable. Enough is enough.”He also noted that medical malpractice insurance had risen so high that practicing is not as financially feasible as it used to be.

2. A Growing (and Aging) Patient Population

The demand for doctors is rising, but the supply is shrinking.

• By 2034, the U.S. will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
• At the same time, the aging population is increasing. The number of Americans over 75 is expected to grow by 55% by 2035, significantly increasing the need for primary care and specialists.

This growing gap means that even patients with serious conditions often have to wait weeks or months before they can see a specialist.

3. Corporate Takeover of Healthcare

More physicians are no longer working in independent practices.

• Hospitals, private equity firms, and insurance companies are acquiring private practices, shifting doctors into corporate-controlled settings that often prioritize profit over patient care.
• Doctors working under these systems are expected to see a high volume of patients in short timeframes—sometimes with just 10-15 minutes per visit.

As AARP describes it, “Many doctors who used to own independent practices are now finding it impossible to do so given the financial pressures on them.”

This shift has eroded doctor-patient relationships, making it harder for patients to build long-term connections with providers who truly understand their medical history.

What This Means for Patients

For patients, the physician shortage translates into longer wait times, rushed appointments, and difficulty accessing care—especially for specialized conditions. Many people now have to travel hours to see a doctor, or worse, rely on urgent care or emergency rooms for routine issues.

Take these real-life patient experiences:

• Ali, 49, Denver – Struggled with severe arthritis symptoms but was told the first available appointment was three months away. By the time she saw a specialist, her condition had worsened significantly.
• Meghan, 57, Arizona – Needed specialized cardiac care, but was told to wait six months as a new patient. She ended up receiving a pacemaker she may not have needed due to delays in proper diagnostics.
• Michelle, New York City – Her 82-year-old father had a stroke but faced weeks of delays in getting an MRI, leading to additional strokes that might have been preventable.

These aren’t isolated incidents. This is the reality of modern healthcare. But the good news is that there are steps you can take to manage your healthcare effectively—even in a system under strain.

What Can You Do?

While fixing the physician shortage will require large-scale policy changes, there are practical steps you can take today to improve your access to care.

1. Be Proactive in Scheduling Appointments

• Schedule regular check-ups months in advance—don’t wait until you’re sick.
• Book follow-up appointments before leaving the doctor’s office.
• If possible, join a patient portal to monitor availability and request cancellations.

2. Use AI and Digital Health Tools to Bridge the Gap

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we manage healthcare. In a recent study, AI-assisted doctors were found to outperform traditional physicians in diagnostic accuracy. (Eric Topol, 2024).

AI can help by:

• Providing faster, more accurate diagnoses, reducing the time needed for a second opinion.
• Identifying high-risk patients early, improving chances of early intervention.
• Offering telehealth solutions, so patients can access care without long wait times.

Digital health platforms like Selfii are making it easier to store and share medical records, ensuring that every provider you see has the full picture of your health history.

3. Keep Track of Your Medical Records

As we have discussed before, a major barrier to getting quality care is fragmented health information.

• After each visit, request a copy of your medical records.
• Use apps like Selfii to store all of your health information in one place, making it easy to share with specialists when needed.
• Having your full medical history at your fingertips can save time and prevent duplicate tests or unnecessary treatments.

4. Explore Alternative Care Models

If traditional doctors are unavailable, consider:

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), who can provide many primary care services.
• Concierge medicine (if affordable), which offers direct access to doctors for a fee.
• Retail health clinics and telemedicine services, which may have shorter wait times.

5. Advocate for Policy Changes

The long-term solution to the doctor shortage requires systemic change. We support a number of ideas to help, including:

• Expanded residency programs to train more doctors.
• Loan forgiveness programs for medical students to incentivize primary care.
• Regulations on corporate healthcare ownership, ensuring that patient care isn’t compromised for profit.

Additionally, it's crucial to support policies that maintain and expand access to telehealth services. Recent proposals by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aim to modify telemedicine regulations, potentially impacting the prescribing of controlled substances. Telehealth advocates express concern that certain proposed rules may hinder access to necessary treatments. For instance, the DEA's proposed rule would require an in-person exam before prescribing drugs like narcotics and stimulants, which could disrupt care for patients relying on telemedicine. “One of the challenges that so many in the community have with the first proposal the DEA made, and even the second one is that it … limits the care that can be provided. It puts practitioners in really unfortunate situations of being able to provide some care, but maybe not the care that they think is clinically appropriate for their patient. That is not the right way for these rules to move forward.” said Christopher Adamec, executive director of the Alliance for Connected Care.

By advocating for thoughtful policy changes, we can work towards a healthcare system that addresses current shortages while ensuring safe and equitable access to care.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Healthcare is Changing

The physician shortage is real, and it’s making it harder for patients to receive the care they need. But patients don’t have to be powerless in the face of this crisis.

By being proactive, embracing AI and digital health solutions, and keeping organized records, you can navigate the system more effectively.

The future of healthcare won’t just rely on more doctors—it will rely on better technology, smarter healthcare systems, and empowered patients. While we wait for larger systemic fixes, taking control of your own health information is the best step you can take today.