Physicians and patients alike are feeling the pressure of rushed appointments in today’s healthcare landscape. With the average physician spending only 13 minutes face-to-face with each patient, the quality of care is compromised, leading to frustration and exhaustion on both ends.
One of the main reasons for these hurried visits is the shortage of physicians in the United States. As the population ages and demand for healthcare services grows, projections show that there could be a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Efforts to address this shortage include legislative initiatives like the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025, which aims to add more residency positions to train new doctors. However, systemic reforms are needed to prevent a healthcare crisis.
Another challenge contributing to rushed appointments is the difficulty in scheduling patients appropriately in outpatient clinics. With most physicians now practicing within large health systems, there is a loss of autonomy over their practices, leading to standardized appointment templates and patient volumes that prioritize operational efficiency over individual patient needs. This rigid structure often results in prolonged wait times, provider burnout, and inefficient clinic flow.
Moreover, the reimbursement structure in healthcare incentivizes high-volume care of less acutely ill patients. Physicians are financially rewarded for seeing more patients with lower complexity, rather than investing extended time in those with severe conditions. This reimbursement model, based on work relative value units (wRVU), favors quick visits over thorough evaluations, leading to a focus on quantity over quality in patient care.
For example, a complex spinal reconstruction procedure may require several hours and have a higher complication rate, but it is reimbursed at a lower rate compared to a simpler procedure like an anterior cervical fusion that can be completed in less time with fewer complications. This financial disparity drives the pressure to schedule more appointments and prioritize lower acuity cases to maximize revenue.
In conclusion, the current healthcare system’s emphasis on high-volume, quick appointments is a result of physician shortages, scheduling challenges, and financial incentives that prioritize efficiency over patient care. To address these issues, systemic reforms are needed to ensure that patients receive timely, high-quality care that meets their individual needs.
