Wisconsin's family physician shortage

This paper analyzes current and future needs for primary care physicians--particularly family practice physicians--in Wisconsin in light of predictions of a national physician glut by the year 1990. The current shortfall of family physicians is estimated to be at least 150, with the most severe deficits found in rural and underserved urban areas. Forty-nine to 79 family practice physicians will be needed each year to meet the growing demand and to replace losses due to retirement, speciality change, and other factors. At the current rate of training, 63 new family physicians will enter practice each year; it appears that the current deficit will be made up slowly, if at all. The number of primary care specialists appears unlikely to increase due to the declining interest in the speciality among medical students; only half the number of new family physicians entering practice each year will enter practice in 1994, resulting in an additional shortfall of about 30 to 50 family physicians each year. Programs should be undertaken at medical schools to bolster student interest in family practice and primary care.