U.S. healthcare faces physician shortages and aging workforce concerns

The United States healthcare system faces dual challenges regarding its physician workforce: an aging practitioner population and a projected shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, including 40,000 primary care physicians.

Research indicates that nearly 25 percent of licensed doctors in the U.S. are aged 65 or older. However, formal hospital policies to screen older physicians for fitness to practice are rare, with a University of Washington study estimating such programs exist in fewer than 5 percent of U.S. hospitals. When screening does occur, most policies use age as a trigger—typically around age 70—and require physical or neuropsychological exams. Early data suggests approximately 12 to 14 percent of screened physicians are deemed unfit to continue.

Simultaneously, the industry is struggling with primary care access, as nearly 100 million Americans lack adequate care and wait times for appointments continue to rise. Experts suggest the current episodic model of healthcare must shift toward a continuous, integrated coordination layer to address workforce shortages and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.