Profession
Kentucky projects physician shortage
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 19, 2007
The Kentucky Institute of Medicine reported in August that the state was short 2,298 physicians in 2007. If medical school expansion and improvements in recruitment and retention take place, the institute expects physician numbers to increase but still fall short of state needs by 2020.
In 2007, the institute counted 8,981 active physicians in the state, giving Kentucky 213.5 physicians per 100,000 people, compared to a national average of 267.9 physicians per 100,000 people. Ideally, the state needs 14,989 physicians by 2020, a 67% increase from 2007, the institute said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/19/prbf1119.htm.
Copyright © 2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
