In less than a decade, California could be facing a significant shortage in primary care doctors. This is what a recent UC San Francisco Healthforce Center report points to.
According to the report, by 2025, California could have 4,700 fewer primary care clinicians than it needs. Factors that may contribute to such a shortage include a large number of clinicians approaching retirement.
The report pointed to the shortage having the potential to have significant negative effects in California. One scenario the report painted is the possibility of individuals having to go to hospital emergency rooms for care for routine illnesses.
What do you think the state and hospitals in the state will do in upcoming years to try to address the predicted shortage? One wonders if efforts will be taken to try to increase California’s attractiveness as a place to practice for primary care doctors. If such efforts are taken, one wonders if they would lead to any big increases in people entering the primary care field in California and physicians from other states coming to California to practice.
There are many things that could lead a doctor from another state to move to California. When such a physician wishes to set up practice in California, there are many important issues to address. This includes issues related to pursuing licensure in California. Sometimes, doctors who have moved to California from other states encounter complications during their efforts to get licensed in California. Skilled California professional license attorneys can assist such doctors in their efforts to overcome such challenges.
Source: Ventura County Star, “California faces shortage of primary-care doctors,” Tracy Seipel, Aug. 15, 2017