title: Louisiana physician population trends: will increase in supply meet demand?
abstract: Physician shortages in the United States are now recognized broadly and widespread by specialty and geography. While supply is increasing, demand inexorably rises. This situation will probably be further stressed post implementation of healthcare reform. The variations by region and by state are many and significant; this complexity is not fully understood nor yet characterized. Trends similar to the averages of the US have been identified in Louisiana, including the aging of physicians. Lack of physicians, both specialists and generalists, has been reported to compromise quality and effectiveness of healthcare. Thus, the importance of matching up supply and demand is evident. The supply of physicians is increasing in absolute number and in the physicians-to-population ratio. Variations in population, aging, geography, and specialties indicate, in some areas, that this may not be enough to deal with the increasing demand. This paper aims to assess historically how physician shortages may affect the balance of supply and demand in future healthcare delivery, particularly in Louisiana.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Blane A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sessions
authors.forename: Juzar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Perry C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Rigby
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration