Patients in major U.S. cities are experiencing longer wait times to schedule appointments with doctors, according to a recent study by AMN Healthcare. The study revealed that patients are waiting an average of 31 days to see a specialist, marking a 19% increase from the previous year’s average wait time of 26 days.
The survey, which focused on six commonly used specialties including obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, gastroenterology, and family medicine, polled over 1,300 physician offices across 15 metropolitan areas. The findings shed light on the growing physician shortage in urban areas, despite the perception that these areas are well-equipped with healthcare providers.
A separate report by the Physicians Advocacy Institute highlighted a concerning trend of a 43% decrease in the number of independent physicians in rural areas between 2019 and 2024. This, coupled with projections by the Association of American Medical Colleges indicating a potential shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, paints a grim outlook for the nation’s healthcare system.
Leah Grant, president of AMN Healthcare’s Physician Solutions division, expressed concern over the increasing wait times, attributing them to a surge in demand for physician services following the Covid-19 pandemic. She emphasized that the current wait times are the longest recorded since the survey’s inception in 2004, indicating a significant shortage of physicians nationwide.
The study revealed varying wait times for different specialties, with obstetrics/gynecology topping the list at 42 days, followed by gastroenterology at 40 days. Dermatology, cardiology, and family medicine also reported increased wait times, signaling a growing challenge in accessing timely healthcare services.
The data collected from metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and New York City underscores the widespread nature of the issue. As patients continue to face prolonged wait times for medical appointments, the need for innovative solutions to address the physician shortage becomes increasingly urgent.
