U.S. faces imminent geriatrician shortage

June 14, 2008

There will not be enough geriatricians when the 78 million baby boomers begin to turn 65 in 2011, according to a recent Institute of Medicine report.

By 2030, there will be an estimated 8,000 geriatricians, but the nation will need 36,000, according to the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs.

The IOM report recommended an increase in geriatric competency throughout the health care workforce to offset the expected shortage. It also called for the adoption of interdisciplinary care models and a fundamental change in health care reimbursement.

Low reimbursement was cited as the biggest barrier to increasing the number of geriatricians. In 2005, the average geriatrician income was $163,000, compared with $175,000 for a general internist.

In addition to raising reimbursement for senior citizens’ care, the IOM study recommended establishing a National Geriatric Service Corps to create financial incentives for geriatric specialists.

The American Medical Association is one of several medical organizations supporting greater training in geriatrics.