The world is on the brink of a physician shortage crisis with countries like France and the United States already feeling the strain. This critical issue is driven by a combination of factors, including an aging population, retiring doctors, and a maldistribution of healthcare providers.
In France, the problem is evident in the numerous “Cherche médecin” signs that dot the countryside, a stark reminder of the growing medical deserts in rural areas. Similarly, the United States is projected to face a shortfall of roughly 187,000 physicians by the mid-2030s, with primary care being the most affected.
The Demographic Perfect Storm
The convergence of demographic forces is exacerbating the physician shortage. The population aged 65 and older is growing rapidly, increasing the demand for chronic-care management and other specialized services. At the same time, nearly half of all practicing physicians in the U.S. are over 55 and approaching retirement.
The training pipeline for new physicians is also a significant bottleneck. It takes 11 to 15 years to train a physician in the U.S., and medical schools have already increased admissions by 30 percent since 2002. However, the greatest constraint lies at the residency training level where federal funding has been capped since 1997.
Policy and Immigration Challenges
The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act introduced in 2026, aims to add 2,000 federally funded residency slots each year. However, this legislation remains stuck in committee without a vote. Another potential solution is to allow more foreign-trained physicians to practice in the U.S., as they currently make up about 20 percent of the physician workforce.
Unfortunately, federal policy is moving in the opposite direction, with increasingly restrictive immigration procedures and proposals to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. These changes could make it nearly impossible for foreign medical graduates to train or relocate to the U.S., further exacerbating the shortage.
Innovative Solutions and Workforce Multipliers
To address the physician shortage countries need to rethink how care is delivered. Expanding the numbers and scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) can help manage routine and chronic care. In primary care, NPs and PAs already account for over 40 percent of all patient care visits.
Technology can also play a crucial role in expanding effective supply. AI medical scribes, automated prior authorization, telehealth follow-ups, and structured care pathways for chronic diseases can reduce administrative load and free physicians for direct patient care.
France is further down this road, with the French parliament passing measures that challenge long-standing norms of physician autonomy. The new “Solidarity Missions” program asks general practitioners in well-served areas to take on additional responsibilities to support underserved regions.
Investing in the Future
In response to the physician shortage the United States is seeing an unprecedented wave of medical school openings and training investments. New medical schools are opening in states with documented physician shortages, particularly in primary care and rural medicine. For example, the University of Northern Colorado welcomed its first osteopathic medical school class, and the University of Georgia’s School of Medicine enrolled its inaugural cohort.
These investments are part of a coordinated strategy to train physicians where policymakers want them to practice. Physicians who complete residency in rural or underserved areas are significantly more likely to remain there, addressing the maldistribution of healthcare providers.
Additionally, significant nursing workforce investments are advancing alongside physician training expansion. The Senate committee passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen nursing workforce capacity, and partnerships are offering free training and guaranteed employment to nursing candidates.
The physician shortage crisis is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. By expanding training programs, rethinking care delivery models, and leveraging technology, countries can begin to address this pressing healthcare challenge and ensure that patients receive the care they need.
