The healthcare workforce has tightened over the past few years as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and some states have much higher vacancy rates for certain roles compared to others.
Among primary care physicians, there is a huge unmet need in certain parts of the country, according to a recent ranking from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Delaware, President Joe Biden’s home state, topped the ranking with the most need, where just 16.36% of the need is met.
Here are the top 10 states with the greatest need for primary care physicians, according to KFF’s ranking based on the percent of need met:
- Delaware - 16.36%
- Missouri - 20.20%
- Alaska - 21.84%
- Nebraska - 25.73%
- New Jersey - 26.93%
- Washington - 29.56%
- North Dakota - 32.05%
- Florida - 33.33%
- New York - 37.11%
- South Dakota - 37.93%
The ranking highlights the enormous workforce constraints across the industry. In addition, the COVID-9 pandemic has accelerated a mass exodus of healthcare professionals, with 1 in 5 healthcare workers indicating they plan to quit the job. Healthcare organizations have also trended toward temporary or contract workers in order to fill vacancies.
The unmet needs within some states for primary care also comes as physicians are facing more pressures than ever, including being more impacted by symptoms of burnout. Unfortunately, as much as 14% of physicians said in a recent survey they have had drugs or alcohol while on the job. Almost half of physicians in the same survey said they are at their breaking point or are looking for new work due to stress and trauma endured on the job.
With such low feelings among physicians and high demand to fill vacancies in some states, healthcare organizations need to prioritize mitigating burnout, stress and trauma in the workplace. Some organizations are turning to AI and other technology solutions, but ensuring that solutions come from a top-down approach, with room for healthcare professionals to make their voices heard, is also critical.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."