Are there enough dermatologists?
Up to Residency
A major topic of conversation is the numbers of dermatologists in the United States.
There are several arguments that there are simply not enough, including
- Long wait times to see most dermatologists in urban areas.
- Underserved rural areas across America.
- Increasing reliance on 'physician extenders;' nurse practitioners and physicians assistants, to meet the need of patients in many practices.
- Increasing prevalence of primary care physicians (or other specialties) acting as dermatologists.
What is driving this lack of dermatologists?
- Too few are being trained.
- Too many are working part time, or quitting the profession entirely (for example, to raise children).
- Too many are specializing (for example, in cosmetics) which limits the availability of general dermatology practitioners.
What are the solutions?
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