Projected Deficiencies in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Workforce in the USA: A Call to Action

Studies have highlighted deficiencies in the emerging child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) workforce. The primary objectives of this study were to analyze the supply, demand, and adequacy of the CAP workforce in the United States (US).

This was a cross-sectional analysis of full-time equivalent physicians in the CAP workforce utilizing the Health Workforce Simulation Model. Annual supply was defined as the number of CAP physicians working each year. Annual demand was defined as the number of CAP physicians needed each year under status quo and improved access scenarios. Workforce adequacy was defined as the ratio of supply over demand. Linear regression was used to analyze CAP workforce trends from 2024 to 2037.

The national supply of CAP physicians was projected to increase from 2024 to 2037 (10,990 to 12,500, 13.7% increase, P < 0.001) and was outpaced by status quo demand (14,440 to 19,280, 33.5% increase, P < 0.001) and improved access demand (20,610 to 27,960, 35.7% increase, P < 0.001) for CAP physicians. As a result, CAP workforce adequacy was projected to significantly decrease under the status quo (76.1% to 64.8%, P < 0.001) and improved access scenarios (53.3% to 44.7%, P < 0.001). By 2037, the states with the lowest CAP workforce adequacy were Indiana (27.1%), Tennessee (26.5%), and Idaho (14.3%). CAP ranked towards the worst among all specialties under the improved access scenario in 2024 and 2037.

Critical workforce shortages are anticipated in CAP, which were greatest in certain states. Accelerated efforts are needed to improve the adequacy of the US CAP workforce.