Report updates physician shortage projections for Wisconsin

Wisconsin faces a potential shortage of between 883 and 3,756 physicians by 2035 due to changes in physician demographics and an aging patient population, according to a report released this week by the Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce. To address the shortage, the report recommends a continued focus on expanding graduate medical education; expanding and improving the state’s education and training infrastructure; an increased emphasis on recruitment and retention issues; and continued efforts to encourage care transformation. In 2011, the Wisconsin Hospital Association projected a shortage of more than 2,000 physicians by 2030. “While it has been gratifying to see the progress we have made in meeting our future physician workforce needs, more needs to be done,” said Chuck Shabino, M.D., chief medical officer for the Wisconsin Hospital Association and WCMEW chair. “Fortunately WCMEW is well positioned to help shape future health care workforce initiatives.”