American Doctors: The Prognosis Isn't Good

A decade from now, Americans might find themselves waiting longer for medical care including doctor's appointments, surgery and other procedures. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has projected that between now and 2030, the US is going to face a shortage of tens of thousands of doctors. The expanding healthcare needs of the country's aging population is going to be the primary reason for the shortfall. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is going to expand by 55 percent up to 2030, creating a pressing need for more doctors.

According to the AAMC's upper estimate, 82,600 new doctors will need to be trained to close the treatment gap by 2025. By 2030, that's expected to increase even further, surpassing 100,000. Due to rapid advancements in medical technology and the ever-changing nature of the profession, the direct impact of the shortfall is difficult to predict, according to a recent CBS News report. However, with another study finding that nearly half of all American nurses want to leave their jobs, US medical care faces some tough challenges over the coming decade.