I can’t say enough about the abundance of physical medicine and rehabilitation jobs compared to the number of available physiatrists. There was a study done in 2019 about the physiatry workforce in 2019 and beyond. Thank you to all the physiatrists who participated in this study which was published in September, 2021. We are still seeing this trend in 2023.
Process: They developed and implemented an online survey of board-certified physiatrists (n = 616 completed, 30.1% response) to collect information about demographics, practice characteristics, hours worked, and retirement intentions. Microsimulation models projected future physiatrist supply and demand using data from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, national and state population projections, American Community Survey, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and other sources.
Results: Approximately 37% of 8853 active physiatrists indicate that their physical medicine and rehabilitation job workload exceeds capacity, 59% indicate that workload is at capacity, and 4% indicate under capacity. These findings suggest a national shortfall of 940 (10.6%) physiatrists in 2017, with substantial geographic variation in supply adequacy. Projected growth in PM&R doctor supply from 2017 to 2030 approximately equals demand growth (2250 vs. 2390), suggesting that without changes in care delivery, the shortfall of physiatrists will persist, with a 1080 (9.7%) physiatrist shortfall in 2030.
Conclusion: Without an increase in physiatry residency positions, the current national shortfall of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians is projected to persist. Although a projected increase in physiatrists’ use of advanced practice providers may help preserve access to comprehensive physiatry care, it is not expected to eliminate the shortfall.
Don’t miss the Openings page on the Farr Healthcare website for physical medicine and rehabilitation jobs.