The projected U.S. physician shortage could worsen if physicians reduce clinical work hours or leave the medical field as planned, according to new research.
The research — conducted by American Medical Association, Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and Stanford (Calif.) University — is published in an issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. It includes a survey of U.S. physicians across all specialties between Aug. 28, 2014, and Oct. 6, 2014.
Ultimately, the research shows nearly one in five physicians reported it was likely or definite they would reduce clinical work hours in the next year, and one in 50 physicians indicated it was likely or definite they would leave their current practice for another career in the next two years.
The AMA cited burnout, technology dissatisfaction and administrative fatigue as contributing factors to physicians' intentions. "Physicians who were burned out, dissatisfied with work-life integration, and dissatisfied with EHRs were more likely to intend to reduce clinical work in the next 12 months. Burnout is the largest factor influencing physicians who intend to leave medicine in the next two years," the group said via news release.
In light of the research findings, the AMA is calling on federal lawmakers, hospitals and insurers to recognize what they call a "coming crisis" related to the physician workforce.