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From Apply Now, Former About.com Guide to Mental Health

Psychiatrist Shortage Looms

Friday January 13, 2006
A nationwide survey from LocumTenens.com has found that 25% of psychiatrists responding to a 2005 survey said they would not choose medicine if they could decide their career paths all over again. This represents an increase of 20% since 1997.

They conclude that "trends in the psychiatry workforce are leading to access problems." Other problems found include:
  • Psychiatrists are seeing more patients each week and spending less time with each.
  • In the current managed care climate, a psychiatrist can earn 57 percent more money from three medication management visits than from one outpatient psychotherapy visit with medication evaluation.
  • There are fewer practicing psychiatrists
  • An aging psychiatry workforce - More than 60 percent of psychiatrists completed their training more than 21 years ago. Only 32 percent of psychiatrists are under 45.


Read the complete survey results.
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