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Physician Shortage Is Concerning

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2007

For those of us who plan to spend our lives in Florida, a new survey by Florida State University's College of Medicine is a worrisome reminder that the Sunshine State has a shortage of physicians.

According to the voluntary survey, Florida has 34,000 doctors, far fewer than the 50,000 previously thought.

It's not clear why Florida has a diminishing number of doctors, though a new constitutional amendment hasn't helped. The amendment prohibits doctors with three or more malpractice claims from practicing here and has created an ugly climate for recruiting.

Talk to older physicians and they will tell you that the new generation of doctors wants a different kind of life. Today's young doctors are choosing specialties that allow them to have lives outside of work. They don't want to take calls. And they don't want the hospital, clinic or practice to be the center of their universe.

A shortage off specialists - neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neonatologists and others - is not the only worry. Fewer doctors today want to become general practitioners. Newcomers say it's difficult to find a family doctor willing to take new patients.

The best way to address the doctor shortage is for Congress to fund more training slots at Florida hospitals because doctors generally stay where they do their training.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor are pushing legislation to increase the number of medical residency slots in Florida. Congress should act on this good bill.

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