Is there really a primary care shortage?

The United States seems to be on the brink of a severe physician shortage. Demand for primary care will far outpace physician supply as the population continues to grow and age, but the rate of physicians entering the workforce stays roughly the same. It seems inevitable that physician shortages will worsen access to care and burden practicing physicians for years to come.

But a true shortage is not inevitable. Our analysis shows that primary care leaders can avoid a shortage in care supply by adopting proven productivity improvement strategies.