Shortage of Endos

[Kristy]

I had read this in other publications, but when I saw this on the AACE website, I thought I'd share...

 

http://www.aace.com/pub/press/releases/index.php?r=20030425

 

Study Projects Growing Shortage of Doctors

 

Specialists Who Treat Diabetes, Infertility, and Obesity in Short Supply as Need Grows

 

(Alexandria, VA) - Endocrinologists, the doctors called upon to diagnose and treat complex hormonal disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, obesity and infertility, are already in short supply, and that shortage will grow even worse over the coming years, according to a study jointly commissioned by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), American Diabetes Association (ADA), The Endocrine Society. The study, an interactive workforce model of supply and demand to the year 2020, is being published in the May issues of the journals Endocrine Practice, Diabetes Care and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

 

The news comes on the heels of reports that health problems treated by endocrinologists such as obesity and diabetes have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Currently, more than 17 million Americans are living with diabetes and its related complications. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity among children has also been increasing, signaling a growing need for care now and especially when this generation reaches adulthood.

 

The study, conducted by the Lewin Group, predicts that already-long delays in getting appointments with these specialists will rise by 2020 unless the number of new endocrinologists entering the field increases. According to the study, the current supply of endocrinologists is 12 percent less than demand. What's more, the number of endocrinologists entering practice dropped from 200 in 1995 to 171 in 1999--a decline of nearly 15 percent. Increasing pressures on medical practices, such as administrative burdens, low reimbursement rates, and lessening autonomy, are also likely to increase retirement rates among practicing endocrinologists, contributing to the shortage.

 

The study examined the number and demographic characteristics of endocrinologists presently in the workforce; the number of fellows currently in endocrine training programs; the effect of age and retirement rates on the size of the workforce; and factors that influence the demand for endocrinologists.

 

"As our population ages and the complexity of medicine increases, the need for endocrinologists to treat patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other hormonal disorders will increase," said Dr. Robert Vigersky, the Chairman of The Endocrine Society's Clinical Affairs Committee and the corresponding author of the study. "This study demonstrates that the current supply of endocrinologists is insufficient and will remain far short of the need for them until 2020 and beyond. While the reasons for this shortage are multifactorial, it is critical that we look for ways to meet the demand so that patients can receive the care that they need and deserve."

 

According to the study, the current supply of endocrinologists is 12 percent less than demand. What's more, the number of endocrinologists entering practice dropped from 200 in 1995 to 171 in 1999--a decline of nearly 15 percent. Increasing pressures on medical practices, such as administrative burdens, low reimbursement rates, and lessening autonomy, are also likely to increase retirement rates among practicing endocrinologists, contributing to the shortage.

 

At the same time, the demand for endocrinologists has been climbing and will continue to do so as the population ages and the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and hypothyroidism increases.

 

"As people in the United States become more overweight and diabetes continues to grow in prevalence, the specialized expertise of endocrinologists will be increasingly important," said Dr. Robert Rizza, incoming vice president of ADA and lead author of the study. "We need to take steps to stop the ongoing decline in the number of endocrinologists in training and find a way to expand the number of endocrinologists in practice in the years ahead."

 

The study also found that there were twice as many office visits to endocrinologists between 1996 and 1998, compared with 1993-1995. Additionally, Medicare shows a 25 percent increase in office visits to endocrinologists from 1995 to 1998.

 

Dr. Hossein Gharib, president of the AACE, said, "As a practicing endocrinologist seeing patients every day who directly benefit from the knowledge of a physician trained to treat their specific disorder, I am concerned that in the near future these and other future endocrine patients may not receive the quality of care needed for these highly complex and difficult diseases."

 

 

Please visit the referring webpage at http://www.aace.com/pub/press/releases/index.php?r=20030425 for more information.

 

We support our doctors!

(If you know anyone in medical school...) :but:

[Guest Lynne Clemens]

This certainly explains the 6-month wait for an appointment with some of our best endocrinologists.  I hope some of those med students consider this.  It could make for a very lucritive practice for them.

[Valerie]

Yes,

We certainly could use some new, good endos.  The ones I've met have not been very impressive.  Thanks for the informative article Dr. Kristy, I think you should become an endo.  You know more than most of them.  Valerie