“If you live in Southwest Florida, you are likely already aware that we have a physician shortage. As a family physician in Fort Myers, my phone rings every day with new residents seeking a primary care doctor, but like many other offices in the area, my practice is completely full. In addition, it’s not always easy for me to find the specialists that my patients need.
In 2019, Florida was short nearly 4,000 physicians. By 2035, the physician shortage is expected to reach 18,000 due to a multitude of factors: population growth, an increased demand for medical attention from an aging population and physicians reaching retirement age.
We must take strategic steps such as opening the pipeline for additional residency positions, embracing technology and improving workflows to address this shortage before it reaches dangerous levels.”
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