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Manpower needs in academic emergency medicine
M E Gallery1, E J Allison, J M Mitchell
1American College of Emergency Physicians, Dallas, Texas 75261-9911.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|July 1, 1990
Summary
There is a significant shortage of board-certified emergency physicians, a trend projected to continue. Academic emergency medicine plays a crucial role in addressing this critical physician manpower need.
Area of Science:
- Medical Workforce Analysis
- Emergency Medicine Physician Supply
Background:
- The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) emphasizes quality care by qualified physicians.
- A historical debate exists regarding physician shortages versus surpluses in the US.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline ACEP's position on the current and future emergency physician shortage.
- To discuss the role of academic emergency medicine in mitigating this shortage.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ACEP's value statements and goals regarding physician certification.
- Review of historical physician workforce reports, including the Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Commission (GME-NAC) report.
- Inclusion of factors like administrative and research activities in physician demand projections.
Main Results:
- The GME-NAC report (1980) projected a physician surplus by 1990 but identified emergency medicine as a shortage specialty.
- ACEP's position is that a severe shortage of trained and certified emergency physicians currently exists.
- Projections indicate this shortage will persist into the next century.
Conclusions:
- A critical need for board-certified emergency physicians is identified.
- The current and projected shortage necessitates strategic interventions.
- Academic emergency medicine is vital for developing solutions to meet physician manpower demands.