More patients, fewer doctors: Demand keeps climbing as the cardiologist shortage continues
It is no secret that the United States is in the middle of a substantial cardiologist shortage. The country’s population is living longer, a growing number of veteran cardiologists are retiring and various risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease—hypertension and obesity, for example—are growing more prevalent as time goes on.
According to a new report from Medicus, a healthcare staffing company, the cardiologist shortage is only going to get worse as time goes on. The good news is that job growth for cardiologists is expected to outpace many other specialties in the years ahead. The bad news, however, is that even improved job growth won’t be enough to dramatically improve the ailing health of the cardiology workforce.
“Rising demand for cardiovascular care is placing increasing pressure on health systems nationwide, challenging their ability to maintain access and consistent coverage,” according to the report.
The report also pointed to other known issues with the cardiologist workforce. The average time to hire a cardiologist in the United States is 248 days, for example, and the proportion of American patients who lack access to a cardiologist is approaching 50%.
In addition, the report explored the variation in available cardiologists from one state to the next. While states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York all have 15 or 16 cardiologists for every 100,000 patients, Wyoming only has five available cardiologists for every 100,000 patients.
Medicus emphasized in its report that utilizing more advanced practice providers is one way to improve care options for heart patients. The company also recommended bringing in locum tenens cardiologists as another way hospitals and health systems can find relief from the ongoing shortage.
“Beyond filling vacancies, leaders can leverage locum tenens cardiologists to stabilize operations, support evolving care models, and maintain access to care while longer-term staffing strategies are implemented,” according to the report.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.