The nationwide shortage of doctors has pushed healthcare shrinkflation to alarming levels across the U.S. 

Despite patients paying more for healthcare here than in any other developed country, they’re getting less for their money due to exponential increases in wait times. As physician availability declines and patient volumes increase, people are left waiting weeks or even months to see a doctor.

This shortage is impacting patient care in several critical ways. Let’s explore five key areas:

1. Skyrocketing Wait Times for Appointments

The landscape of healthcare accessibility in the United States is undergoing a troubling transformation, with patient wait times for appointments reaching unprecedented levels. A recent Axios/Ipsos survey has shed light on this growing crisis, revealing stark realities that patients across the country are facing:

  • One in five patients waits more than two months to see a doctor.
  • The average wait time in major metropolitan areas is 26 days.
  • Midwest regions face the longest delays.

These extended wait times represent significant barriers to timely healthcare access that can have real consequences for patient outcomes. As Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, pointedly notes, “Right now, things are at almost crisis level. We all became physicians to take care of patients, and that is getting tougher every day.”

2. Specialty Care Becoming Less Accessible

The challenge of long wait times is even more pronounced when it comes to specialty care. Patients seeking specialized medical attention often face even longer delays, which can have serious implications. A recent survey revealed the percentage of patients reporting long wait times for various specialties:

  • Neurology (26%)
  • Ear, nose, and throat (26%)
  • Psychiatry (20%)
  • OB/GYN (17%)
  • Primary care stood at 19%

Waiting over a month to receive care isn’t just an inconvenience. It can also have a significant impact on health outcomes—especially in specialties where a delay in care can mean the possible worsening of a treatable condition.

3. Pandemic-Induced Backlog Creating a “Perfect Storm”

The physician shortage has collided with a post-pandemic surge in patient volumes. Health systems report unprecedented demand from patients who delayed care during the pandemic, with major health networks like NYC Health + Hospitals seeing 50,000 more primary care patients added since 2021 alone.

This pent-up demand has overwhelmed the system, leading to longer wait times nationwide. An Axios-Ipsos survey found that nearly one in five patients now wait more than two months to see a primary care physician or specialist.

The result? 43% of patients report experiencing longer wait times for appointments since the pandemic.

Making matters more challenging, over 145,000 healthcare providers left the industry from 2021 through 2022, many citing burnout as the primary reason. Surveys indicate more physicians plan to retire early.

4. Rise of Concierge Services in Modern Healthcare

In response to the physician shortage, some doctors are turning to concierge services, charging monthly retainer fees for guaranteed timely access. This approach represents one of several innovative models emerging in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape.

In this evolving environment, patients seeking concierge services gain access to enhanced scheduling flexibility and extended appointment times. Meanwhile, healthcare organizations across all practice models are exploring creative solutions to optimize patient care delivery. This is where locum tenens physicians become valuable partners throughout the healthcare spectrum, helping maintain consistent access to quality care across communities.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” said Robert Pearl, a Stanford University professor and former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group. “Each year the demand grows, and the care becomes skimpier. As a result of that, the demand grows even faster.” This trend underscores the importance of flexible staffing solutions to support healthcare delivery across all practice models.

By providing coverage during transitions and peak periods, locum physicians help practices of all models maintain quality care delivery while adapting to changing patient needs.

5. Increased Burden on Remaining Healthcare Staff

The physician shortage doesn’t just affect patients; it also places a significant strain on the healthcare professionals who remain.

With fewer doctors available, the workload for existing staff intensifies dramatically. This increased pressure often leads to a higher risk of burnout among healthcare workers, potentially triggering a domino effect of further staff shortages. As medical professionals struggle to manage larger patient loads and longer hours, the quality of patient care may be inadvertently compromised.

This situation creates a troubling cycle: overwork leads to burnout, which in turn may cause more healthcare professionals to leave the field, further exacerbating the very shortage that initiated the problem.

The Locum Solution: Bridging the Gap in Care to Fight Shrinkflation

While physician shortages present significant challenges to our healthcare system, locum tenens offers a powerful solution to combat healthcare shrinkflation. 

Locum tenens providers are stepping in to address the backlog of cases from COVID-19, specifically in specialties like oncology, anesthesiology, and psychiatry, where care was delayed during the pandemic. 

By providing relief to permanent staff, locum tenens helps prevent burnout and further shortages, which is crucial for maintaining quality care during high-demand periods. This approach ensures that staffing gaps don’t become care gaps, helping facilities remain responsive to patient needs and maintain service quality. As healthcare continues to evolve, the flexibility of locum tenens remains essential in combating shrinkflation and providing timely, quality care despite ongoing provider shortages.