US Predicts Critical Care Specialist Physician Shortage

May 28, 2006

Shortage of Doctors to Care for the Critically Ill, Government

Predicts Monday, May 22, 2006

WASHINGTON — The federal government predicted Monday that the supply

of doctors who specialize in treating critically ill patients

probably won't keep up with the demand of the country's aging

population.

That's important, some groups say, because more doctors with such

expertise could help save lives and money.

Critical care doctors, or intensivists, make up an evolving

specialty, and one of the newest specialties to be certified under

the American Board of Medical Specialties. About 2,000 such doctors

specialize in treating patients in the nation's intensive care units.

In 2003, Congress asked the Health Resources and Services

Administration to analyze whether the country would have enough

critical care doctors. The agency projected two demand scenarios.

Under the lowest projection, the expected supply of 2,800 critical

care doctors in 2020 would meet demand.

But the agency said that scenario is unlikely. More hospitals are

expected to increasingly staff their ICUs with critical care doctors.

A larger percentage of ICU patients are likely to be seen by critical

care doctors. As a result, 4,300 such doctors may be needed by 2020.

The government agency said lawmakers may want to establish some

financial incentives to attract and retain more critical care

doctors. It said financial recommendations went beyond the scope of

the report, but some groups have called for more money for training.

They also have called for expanding the J-1Visa Waiver program, which

would let more foreign doctors practice in the United States, and

they have called for an expansion of the National Health Service

Corps, which pays for health professional's education in exchange for

work in underserved areas.

Trade groups representing critical care doctors said increasing their

ranks is important for the nation's health care system.

" The HRSA report is clear, " said Dr. D. Wagner, president of

the American Thoracic Society. " The number of patients who are

critically ill is growing. The number of critical care specialists

trained to treat these patients is not keeping pace. A shortage is

not only imminent but upon us, and, unless steps are taken to address

the shortage, patients with life-threatening diseases and others

being cared for in ICUs will suffer. "

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