Doctor shortage called growing crisis in Maryland

“That will mean longer waits for routine appointments and decreased access to community-based physicians.

More people will be forced to rely on the hospital emergency room as a last resort.”

A Maryland Physician Workforce Study found the state 16 percent below the national average for the number of physicians available to the population.

Since 1980, the number of doctors practicing in Maryland has dropped from 7.3 per 1,000 people to 5 doctors per 1,000, widening the gap, the study found. Shortages exist in 17 percent of all specialty areas within the state?s medical industry. Maryland has nearly 25,000 licensed physicians, according to the report.

And surveys of medical students indicate the number planning to practice in state could drop.

Even if class sizes at the state?s two medical schools increased, the first graduates would not enter the work force until 2022, according to findings released Monday by the Maryland Hospital Association and the Maryland State Medical Society.

To ease the shortage, the study authors recommended improving Maryland?s standing nationally by limiting medical liability payouts, and therefore malpractice insurance premiums.

The study also called for increasing reimbursement to physicians and making practices in rural and isolated areas more attractive by increasing loan forgiveness programs and other incentives.

Scott Maizel, breast surgeon with Greater Baltimore Medical Center, said it?s become too hostile to practice independently in the state.

“Two years ago, I had to close my private practice because of the increases in malpractice insurance and decreases in reimbursement for care,” Maizel said. “The medical establishment has been trying to work with lawmakers in this state for 10 years to move forward in addressing this crisis.”

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