Staffing levels at physician practices and medical groups declined in the latest American Medical Group Association (AMGA) survey, even as patient visits continued to increase. The 2026 Medical Clinic Staffing Survey, covering more than 6,500 clinics and 30,000 providers, found that average staffing fell from 2.29 to 2.17 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees per provider.
The largest reductions occurred in clinical support and direct patient care roles, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants. Staffing in these roles declined from 1.48 to 1.29 FTEs per provider. Ancillary staffing, including radiology and laboratory personnel, also decreased from 0.33 to 0.27 FTEs per provider.
These reductions come as patient visits increased 2% over the preceding year. AMGA reports that medical groups are responding by restructuring care teams, relying more heavily on medical assistants, and centralizing certain functions within larger health systems. The staffing trends also coincide with broader workforce concerns: an HRSA analysis projects shortages across 30 of 35 physician specialties by 2038.