The gastroenterology workforce is entering a pivotal stretch as an aging physician base collides with rising patient demand, all the while access gaps widen and compensation pressures mount in the background.
Here are five trends to keep an eye on:
1. Large geographic access gaps persist across the GI workforce: More than two-thirds of U.S. counties do not have a practicing gastroenterologist, according to a Nov. 14 report from Medicus Healthcare Solutions.
The report found that about 7 million people live more than 50 miles from a GI specialist. Workforce constraints are also tightening recruitment, with healthcare organizations taking a median of 186 days to fill an open gastroenterologist position as demand continues to outpace available supply.