Physician Licensing Landscape: Recent Data and Trends

A recent Kaufman Hall survey has revealed concerning trends: a significant majority of hospitals, health systems, and medical groups are grappling with staffing shortages, affecting their capacity to provide care. With 63% of respondents struggling to meet patient demand and an increasing number of patient complaints regarding access to care, the healthcare sector faces critical challenges. Interestingly, while these issues persist, the reliance on contract labor has seen a decrease, signaling a shift in how healthcare services are managed and delivered.?

The State of U.S. Physician Licensing

In 2022, the United States had 1,044,734 licensed physicians. State medical boards granted 31,504 first-time licenses, contributing to the total issuance of 129,427 licenses for the year. Notably, 24% of these physicians hold licenses in multiple states, with 16% maintaining two active licenses and 8% with three or more. The majority (89%) of these physicians received their education from allopathic medical schools (MDs), yet the growth rate of physicians from osteopathic medical schools (DOs) is notably higher, showing an 89% increase since 2010. Furthermore, 77% of licensed physicians are graduates from U.S. or Canadian medical schools, with 23% being international medical graduates.

As of May 2023, the United States boasts 1,077,115 professionally active physicians. California leads with the highest number, housing 117,674 physicians, while New York follows. In contrast, Wyoming has the fewest, with just 1,256 active physicians. Notably, the U.S. has seen a significant rise in osteopathic physicians, with an increase of over 30% in the last five years. By 2023, the total number of osteopathic physicians nearly reached 149,000, a 30% growth from the past five years. Additionally, the count of DOs and osteopathic medical students has quadrupled in the last thirty years, totaling 186,871 in 2023.

Understanding Healthcare Expansion

Florida is experiencing significant demographic changes, with a 1.9% population growth since 2021, making it the fastest-growing state in the U.S. This increase poses unique challenges for the healthcare sector, particularly in medical staffing. The Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) faces the task of efficiently managing the licensure of the state's 1.4 million healthcare practitioners.

In The Annual Report and Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-23, MQA licensed over 128,000 new practitioners, averaging an impressive processing time of just 0.09 days per license. Over six years, there's been a 3.4% increase in total licensure, rising from 1,245,454 to 1,478,142. This year, the Board received 152,581 initial applications, issued 128,167 new licenses, and renewed a record 610,818 licenses, the highest in the reporting cycle.

The Rising Tide of Burnout in Healthcare

The CDC's recent report highlights escalating mental health challenges among healthcare workers. Burnout, a longstanding issue, has intensified post-pandemic. In 2022, healthcare workers reported an increase in poor mental health days and burnout instances. Harassment at work has also notably increased, correlating with higher anxiety and burnout levels.

The report indicates a growing openness among healthcare workers to change employers, with about 16.5% considering it in 2022. Staffing shortages contribute to these challenges, with 32% reporting insufficient staff, up from 25.7% in 2018. These findings underscore the critical need for addressing mental health and staffing issues in healthcare.

Your Partner in Navigating Medical Licensing Complexities

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, MedicalLicensing.com is dedicated to providing specialized guidance in medical licensing. Our expertise in navigating the intricate requirements of diverse state policies ensures a streamlined and efficient licensing process for healthcare professionals. We offer comprehensive solutions to manage the complexities of multi-state licensure, focusing on cost-effectiveness and minimizing administrative burdens.

In closing this edition, we invite you to connect with us for a seamless licensing experience. MedicalLicensing.com is committed to being your trusted partner in achieving compliance and maintaining the highest standards in your professional practice.